こんばんわ。
カイパー です。どうぞ よろしく。
Why I have chosen to
study Japanese is not an entirely straightforward discussion. So many
varied factors feed my desire to learn the language, and I would be
remiss no to try and touch on each of them as best I can.
I love language. I
am primarily an English major, after all. And modes of expression
excite me just as much as what is expressed. Languages are tools, but
they are also art forms. English as a language has its own qualities
that enable writers to create engaging novels or thought-provoking
poetry. But other languages are no different. What I find exciting
about other languages is that their systems of grammar, sentence
structure, and even the very sounds that compose them can be used in
creative ways to create expressive works. A fantastic example is
wordplay. What may be humorous wordplay in a Japanese novel does not
translate easily into English, and vice versa.
Of course, I have
other inspirations for choosing Japanese as a language, specifically.
The おたくculture
in Japan has always been of interest to me, ever since I started
watching the anime Inuyasha in
elementary school with my mom. I have become attached to other anime
since, like Cowboy Bebop (カウボーイ ビバップ),
Samurai Champloo, The Tatami Galaxy, and
Attack on Titan. And
I cannot ignore the significance of Studio Ghibli's films. Movies
like Spirited Away and
The Tale of Princess Kaguya
have impacted me greatly, from their beautiful animation to their
emotional resonance.
Yet
my appreciation for ideas
grown in Japan has expanded
beyond animation.
Haruki Murakami is one of my all-time favorite authors, and I
especially love his novel Norwegian Wood.
His works were some of my first looks at Japanese society in a more
normal, modern context. Additionally,
there are a number of musicians out of Japan that I adore and listen
to regularly, not the least of which being the late Nujabes (R.I.P)
and Asian Kung-Fu Generation.
Then
there are games. Games are a medium of expression I connect strongly
with, and have done so
ever since I was a child. And it is popular
knowledge that Japan is a
major presence in the culture of gaming. Nintendo, Sony, Capcom, and
many other big industry players have their origin in Japan. Capcom's
Monster Hunter franchise
occupies a special place in my heart (and,
as I have found out, much of Japan's).
From Software's Dark
Souls and Bloodborne
series of games have challenged me not only with game difficulty but
with how I receive and interpret storytelling through interactive
fiction.
So,
in a sense, I have connected with Japan in
many ways before ever
beginning the process of
learning Japanese. However, this connection is not as true as it
could be. I think to really appreciate the creations that come from
Japan, I need to know the people first and foremost. What better way
to begin seeing through the eyes of Japan's inhabitants than to learn
Japanese? We are all called
to certain vocations in our lives. And while I am not certain what
shape my future is taking, I do know that I want to connect with
people, to understand them and learn from them. The nation of Japan
is one that has given me much joy, many memories, and great
experiences. But I want to know more, and to feel more. I want to
connect with new people in new ways. Hopefully I am on the right
path.
じゃあ、また。 ありがとうございます。
カイパー
