This week I want to write about “going to Japan.”

Instead of starting out with unhinged excitement, I want to start with real problems, concerns, and possible fears… then towards the mid-week work back up to the positive.

So Issue #1: The language barrier

It’s without a doubt that the non-Japanese men and women who function extremely well amongst Japanese society are smart and bright. They’re intelligent, wise (for their age), and extremely flexible. Yet, even the wittiest of people cannot prepare for the language barrier in Japan. It’s something that strikes even the most prepared and educated. It’s because of perplexing cultural differences, local intonation, and differing expectations of abilities.

In college I used to have a very simple rule, albeit one that never helped my grades– but a simple rule nonetheless…

“Studying for a test will undoubtedly raise your test score grade. However, there is a point where if you continue to study too much (e.g. “cram”) then your chances of a good grade begin to drop.”

Going to Japan– specifically somewhere I haven’t been to before almost requires that I revisit my Japanese studies and work to get proficient again. Yet, I can’t help but feel that things will change when I land on the ground and assess the actual situation.

I am nervous about the language barrier– I am nervous about situations outside the repertoire of my current knowledge. It sounds silly, and perhaps it is. That is why in these last months I’ve gone over bits of stuff to remember, but I’m hesitant to go gun-ho until I know what’s required of me upfront… My rule of measured constant study to a point dictates that if I go too far– I’ll be all jumbled up in Japan.

My best plan of action then, that I see going forward, is two fold: A.) to master kanji (which I’ve started), and continue to review past lessons, and to reflect on my own personal experiences of Japan. Then, B.) while I’m doing that, pursue Japanese media (radio, tv, etc. from the web) and work to setup channels for processing all that input. In other words, “master the utilization of SRS” with the Japanese stuff I can get here… brace myself for everyone talking like a Japanese drama all the time, but don’t go crazy studying it all.

Overall– looking back– in high school our band’s slogan was “Perfection is Possible.” I can’t help but think that, regardless of what I may be feeling now about all this, perfection I believe is still is possible as long as my heart & mind is still willing to keep open about it.

~J out

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