Learning a New Language

Many times at work, while I'm studying Japanese I've been asked "Hey, why are you studying such a difficult language, do you plan on moving to Japan?". It's a difficult question to answer, and no I do not plan on ever moving to Japan.

Learning Japanese is actually something I've wanted to do since I was 16. When I was growing up, I always found Asian languages fascinating...like I'm a archaeologist deciphering some sort of ancient hieroglyphics. Around the same time (around 1999-2000), JRPGs, J-Pop, Anime, and Manga was just starting to kick off in popularity. I learned the basics of the Kana (Hiragana and Katakana), and basic sentence structure in just a matter of a few weeks, surprising my teachers when they saw me writing in Kana during study-hours...but back then, online learning resources were scarce and I couldn't find nor afford a college that would take my learning to a higher level. Eventually, my father insisted that learning a language for a country I may never visit is a waste of time...and that my Otaku fandom was really me following some sort mass-market consumerist culture fostered by big corporations, and that I should be pursing more noble goals in order to become a successful animator...the irony is that anime and manga is what got me into illustration and animation in the first place.

This is what Japanese mass-market consumerism looks like.

Then without warning during my last deployment, my ship announced that we would be pulling into Yokosuka, Japan. I was mixed about this. Should I go to Japan to drink sake/chuuhai, visit some nightclubs...and act like...well...everyone else? Or should I go to the heart of anime/manga, into Akihabara, and follow my artistic/compulsive/geeky twitch?

I chose the latter and don't regret it one bit...but was disheartened that the language barrier. I would be greeted by shopkeepers with いらっしゃいます(irasshaimase), yet I had no idea how to talk back to them, I also used phrases and greetings in the wrong context out of nervousness, trying to recall phrases I used ten years back...stuff that was basic knowledge for anyone visiting the country.

It was embarrassing. Yet I was still drawn into it all...visiting the famous locales of various video games, anime, and manga that I used to read. Yet around the same time I found out Sega wasn't going to be publishing the sequel to one of my most favorite games, 龍が如く5 (Yakuza 5)...and that's when I decided to get back into learning the language.

SEGA: "You guys want to play 'Japanese-Man-Game 5'? *Looks at North American sales numbers* How about a new Sonic game instead?"

Before we left Japan, I stocked up on some e-books and apps, and studied daily for 3+ hours a day. I learned a lot on how my brain worked during cram sessions, memory retention, and the do's-and-don'ts of learning a new language (such as memorizing over 1000 Kanji meanings, but not being able to understand it in context through vocabulary). I anxiously awaited the return home...not only just to be back and see family again, but so I can order some textbooks and meet with people at local language groups. In other words, to continue on with what I put on pause for so many years.

It's exhilarating learning a new language and it reminds me of learning Spanish and French for the first time. Whenever I feel demotivated (which is often), I take a few days off from learning, play a few import games, and get back into the groove again. I'm on Chapter 7 of my Genki textbook, which is roughly Japanese 102 college level learning, I spend about half an hour each day writing new flashcards and reviewing old flashcards, and I'm to the point where I can read almost at the same pace as I can speak it...as long as I already know the word...if I don't it's more along the lines of me sounding out words, much the same way a kindergartner would try to pronounce Howitzer Tank, except your trying to pronounce something that looks a little more like ÞæWI¥¶ZER ԡҭNK (with the Kanji/Kana blended words).

Write the Kanji for this! Don't forget proper stroke order and to memorize the On-Yomi and Kun-Yomi meanings!

Also I have been taking weekly trips over to Chinatown in Seattle, where I familiarize myself with Asian foods and make a trip over to Kinokuniya Bookstore where they have figures, magazines, manga, and books in Japanese (plus textbooks/learning resources for the learner)...and occasionally I'll meet a fellow learner.

Redneck Billy: "I can't read 'em books 'ere...it's all in some sorta moon language!"

In many ways I feel grateful to be in a multicultural city. Where people of Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese descent all in one corner of the US. It gives me an opportunity to learn from people from other cultures, which in turn, I learn a lot more about myself.

So no, I am not learning a new language so I can move to Japan, to date hot Asian women, or to be some sort of "Super-Otaku". I usually give the simple answer "It's just a hobby", because honestly it is simply a hobby...but it's a hobby that gives me an opportunity to meet new people with similar ambitions, and maybe even read, write, talk to, and understand people native to the language..

"Why would I ever want to date an Asian women? They all look the same anyway!"

Who knows? A few years from now if I ever do go back to visit Japan, I should have a better knowledge and understanding of the language and culture. If I don't go back, well at least I can say I had fun learning :).

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Should be a great Christmas this year. Got my family at home some nice gifts this year, as well as gifts for myself (due to excellent Black Friday/Seasonal deals).

First thing first, the Google Nexus 7. What an excellent device! Last year I chose the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, but quickly regretted it due to the amount of proprietary software and lack of storage space (8 GB which was really about 4.5GB...not nearly enough for a power user like me). Picked up the 32GB model this year for the same price. It has excellent technical specs, great storage space, and the new Kit-Kat OS update which is pretty spiffy.

I've been importing a lot of Japanese games lately. Call me impatient, but when I see a game out in Japan for months already, with no word on a US localization (or the word is usually "Q4 2014") or with content that is too risque for American audiences, I have no choice but to import. Fortunately Sony allows region-free gameplay, and I've already discovered many excellent gems.

First off, we have God Eater 2, excellent graphics, fantastic gameplay...essentially Monster Hunter with a story. I posted a review up on Play-Asia, http://www.play-asia.com/god-eater-2-paOS-13-49-en-70-63p5.html#reviews just look up "GreatScott84".

Why is this not out in America yet!?

I've also been playing an updated version of Dynasty Warriors 8, called "Shin Sangoku Musou 7 with Moushouden", it's been out in Japan for a few weeks now, but unlikely to see a Western release anytime soon, if at all. It helps to have played the previous translated games to learn the names, motives, etc if you don't understand Japanese; but not necessary.

Dynasty Warriors 8 Xtreme, now on Vita!

I admit import gaming does help with learning Japanese, seeing Kanji/grammer on paper is one thing, but hearing it and reading the subtitles on-screen is another. It's like listening to tapes, instead it's all interactive. For example (and this is a very basic example of some more complex stuff I encounter) I'll see something that says スタートゲーム. I start pronouncing the letters "SU-TA-TO-GE-EE-MU". I read and repeat several times over in the correct Japanese pronouncination "Suh-tah-t-gaem"..."Staat-Gaem"...Oh "Start Game"! I'll see it over and over to the point were I don't even have to pronounce it and my mind simply just understands the word visually. When I encounter more complex things, such as Kanji, I can understand just a few things so far; such as 行く meaning "Iku" or "To Go, 見る "Miru" or "To see", or 私 meaning "Watashi" or "I, myself", and seeing the Kanji being spoken in different ways and with different conjugations depending on context is something that no textbook can really explain.

The huge downside with importing is the lack of access to the Japanese Playstation store. It's quite easy to swap on the PS3, but on the Vita it's quite a hassle...and I refuse to make a specific Japan-only account using a fake address and purchasing foreign Playstation cards to purchase DLC just on principle. Plus not having my trophies all in one central account is a bummer.

Also picked up Gran Turismo 6. I've been a huge Forza fan since Forza 2...but after last year's disapointment with Forza Horizons and their DLC schemes, plus this years controversy over vehicles too expensive to purchase in-game without purchasing credits via microtransactions...it pretty much left a sour taste in my mouth. GT6 is pretty much a cleaned up version of GT5, with a better direction. It's amazing it looks just as good as the next gen Forza, but on 7 year old hardware.

Also did a bit of train simming. Met some cool people on engine-driver.com who also plays Train Sim and Farming Sim. I'll have to pick up the new Titanium edition of Farming Simulator during the next Steam sale, which hopefully should be soon!

Next stop, Mulkiteo!

I started playing the visual novel Steins; Gate...which is fantastic! About ten years ago on some BBS boards, I recall a guy online named John Titor who claimed to be a time traveller from the future. Hoax...obviously, but the game asks the question, "What if John Titor was real?". The game is also hilarious and has many subtle references to general geekdom. I've been playing the visual novel on PC, but the anime follows the story pretty well.

Lastly, I want to touch on the PS4. I picked it up last month and really enjoying it...somewhat. It's a great system but unfortunatly the good titles for it won't be out until at least February. Still, I'm really enjoying Assassin's Creed Black Flag, the Twitch integration, the media features, and playing a round or two of FIFA :). Can't wait to see what the next year has to offer!