Ten years...
Ten years since I last recorded something on this blog.
Before this, all my previous blogs were written by my 20-year-old self. I barely graduated college back then.
How fast time goes by...
Anyway, this post is about how learning another language can change your life.
I am a Filipino.
My native language is also called Filipino but my dialect is Tagalog.
My second language is English which was thought to us since grade school.
By now, I can say that I am proficient in both languages -- reading, speaking, listening and writing.
Before this pandemic, I was leading a more-than-normal lifestyle; I go to work, I earn, and then I travel to places I've never been to see amazing sights and eat great food.
But now due to travel restrictions, like most of us, I am grounded in my home/dorm. Normal life becomes so repetitive it's boring most of us to death.
However, staying at home doesn't mean one can't lead an exciting life. Well, not that exciting, but can definitely break the routine.
Just last year, many people discovered new hobbies and activities for themselves. They learned new recipes, learned gardening, become online sellers, become active in social media, etc.
I, too, tried some of those activities and currently I am pusuing an activity that in the past week started to change my life.
I am self-studying the Japanese language through online lessons and it somehow changed the way I responded and communicated with people.
*(START OF DISCUSSION)
You see, Japanese language is a language that makes you polite. It somehow encourages you to respond politely to people -- even when using your own native language.
Language or dialect is the culmination of all cultural aspects of a certain nation or region, respectively.
They were developed to reflect how people in the land interacted and communicated with each other.
Through the years, they continue to evolve and adapt according to era. The vocabulary changes correspondingly to the changes in culture, politics, economy, etc.
So, in my opinion, adapting the culture (i.e. being more polite to people while learning Japanese) is linked when learning a language.
Another advantage when studying a new language -- and this is applicable to any and all acts of studying -- is that it makes your mind sharper. It enhances memory retention and focus. Just like math.
Math is another language created by the observation of the natural laws of the world. It is a global language that speaks through all humans.
Learning math is hard and it definitely makes your mind reach the limit; it uses your brain extensively and exhaustingly.
Learning language is the same; it needs all parts of your brain to activate to fully comprehend the meaning of certain words and phrases.
Additionally, you will also need to understand the culture of the people using the language in order to use the words effectively.
Kanji is a perfect example.
Kanji is one of the alphabets used in the Japanese language; the other two were Hiragana and Katakana.
Kanji, just like the Egyptian heiroglyphs, is made up of symbols. To be able understand it you must learn the culture of the era when the symbols were created and learn how it was interpreted.
In a way, interpreting these symbols is like learning math. You need to memorize the meaning of certain symbols and then make the correct combination -- like a formula -- for it to make sense.
And only through practice and perseverance can you finally be proficient in using a language.
NOTE:
Learning computer programming languages are also considered learning another language.
P.S.
If you are interested in learning another language, I recommend that you are not pre-occupied by other matters. Focus on doing one thing at a time. Learning language is stressful and takes years to master.
Learn at your own pace.
Write what you read.
Read what you write.
Rest when tired.
Repeat.
And as always, keep up your GOOD STUDY HABITS!
よく勉強する! 頑張れ!
By the way, below is my attempt to convert my name to Katakana -- one of the Japanese alphabets..
クリストファー アキーノ
