In due requisite of LAJ300's term of assessment, I made a blog. It is pretty much going to be empty for the most part, but I might try to fill it up with something. Not like anybody is going to peer into it anyway.
I'm not very good at starting things, so as first post I should probably write about my motives in learning the Japanese language. New Year's Day seemed like a good time to start too.
Well, the reason I'm studying the language is because of... my friends. Not due to influence or pressure, in the class I am pretty much alone (In fact I tried pulling some of my peers in so I don't have to be so lonely). I was wondering what is it that is in Japan that is making my circle of friends (a dot) go crazy over. To know that Japanese pop culture is the main staging ground is apparently not enough for the likes of me. No, it is something ingrained within the Japanese psyche that is making their popular culture... popular. Studying anime and manga (Who knew?) for their common themes and premises are simply insufficient. One of my side pursuits is psychology, behavioural and thought processes in particular, so I guess looking to understand my friend's interests could at least fill up my time and give me a little purpose in my very dull existence.
So, in order to ascertain the main ingredients in forming the alluring force that is Japan, I must first study the demography of Japan. I did this by reading sparingly on analyses of modern (modern being starting from Meiji Era) Japanese politics (mostly foreign policies), military (decisions), as well as economics (strategies used as a precursor to Japan's rapid modernisation). At some effective state, it has some interesting policies to note. Of course, one might ask where did I get all that time to read on such ridiculous nonsense. Well, being the lazy boy that I am, I only bothered managing to do this when I was hospitalised for a month during my first semester in my first year. Good times.
I wished I could learn the more antiquated history of Japan, but I think I read until Prince Shotoku when one of my friends who is madly in love with Japan borrowed the book. I never saw that book ever again. Perhaps I could pursue ancient Japanese history for my autonomous learning assessment thing, since it is part of my few trivial pursuits, but I'm much too lazy to really commit to that.
Secondly, I must learn the language, which is the daunting task I am wrestling with now. In behavioural psychology, language apparently configures the way one thinks. The rules of semantics within the grammar as well as expressions and honorifics endemic in the Japanese language can give clues as to how differently the Japanese think. Again, this is a matter of convenience. How could I pass up the opportunity to pursue this sub-objective virtually for free, and at the same time fulfil my university unit requirement? Plus, I could experiment with developmental psychology, on learning a new language in a similar way as babies are purported to do. So far, it has been effective in keeping me alive in class. Which is somewhat of a good thing.
I'm learning the language at a rather leisurely pace, leisurely meaning when the books are conveniently placed on my table near me. Or, when I pretty much have nothing else to do on my computer. In this language, I am marred by two deficiencies compared to most of my peers. One, my lack of Chinese language knowledge. That means I start with a clean slate in kanji learning. And two, the fact that I am a rather sluggish learner. I asked too much 'why's' and accept too little without questioning it first. I kid you not, my LAJ200 sensei acknowledges that I asked. A lot. I wonder if she is now relieved that I'm no longer in her hair now.
It is also regrettable that I'm poor at speaking. At any language, even my main tongue, I'm better at writing and listening than talking. It could prove to be a crippling disability in learning the language.
Finally, I must look at the various aspects of Japanese culture and folklore, both traditional and modern to see the common forms of belief systems and understanding of the world according to Japan. For this, sadly, I am devoid of books on this. So I have to make do with bumping into them when the opportunity arises, and read on them on the internet. Just like anime and manga. Occasionally I will bump into them via my friends, and if I could bother to get the energy to actively seek them, then I will.
I am certain there are books on this that specialise on them, but I currently have too much on my plate right now.
So here is my first post, on my motives on learning the Japanese language in a wall of text. I might post on something else next time that might be totally unrelated, so I will not forget it, like a grocery list or something.
