So my last attempts to get into the zone of Japanese learning were ill-timed due to a looming dissertation and portfolio on the horizon at the time. But that was nearly a year ago now (yeesh) and I actually have time now I’ve graduated from university. Yay!

I feel pretty bad about the fact that I’ve only ever really contributed to the forum through my own introduction threads XD But I’m starting the course from scratch, got myself a fresh, large notebook and plenty of motivation!

Now, as Koichi commands in Season 1.2, here are some of my reasons for learning Japanese! For anyone who may be interested, and if nobody is at least it clarifies things to myself for the future :)

-I would like to ultimately backpack Japan for an extended period of time. A lot of this time I imagine would be visiting Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines (I honestly would very much like to do the 88 Shikoku temple pilgrimage!), and having a firm grasp of the Japanese language would doubtless give a larger understanding of general etiquette when in such situations, as well as the inevitable joy of being able to have a fluent discussion with a Japanese monk or teacher about all things metaphysical.

-Perhaps I will find myself engaging in monastic training at some point (an option in life I have been considering anyway), and if that were to happen in Japan, obviously a thorough understanding of Japanese is imperative!

-One day, it would be wonderful to be able to make my own translations of Buddhist and Shinto texts.

-Being a composer generally, I’d love for my music to have more Japanese influence, and making connections in the Japanese music world with vocalists and other composers, being able to communicate with ease would be great. I already have a few Japanese friends in that area, but I generally feel pretty bad about not being able to talk Japanese correctly to them.

-I’ve already learned from the little I studied last time on TextFugu that understanding a second language gives tremendous insight into how language itself is structured and developed. That’s pretty fascinating to me.

-I’m considering taking a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course, and if that goes ahead it would be really nice to work in Japan.

-And of course I’d like to have that air of satisfaction in watching anime without the subtitles.

That was a lot more than I wrote in my notebook. :D

Anyway, I am giving premature thanks to you all for having me.
With love
Ben x

• This topic was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by  Ben.