Being Japanese-American in Japan #4: Fluency & Gaijin-ness

In this video I discuss the idea that simply being in Japan for x amount of time doesn't make you fluent. I also discuss the fact that while my outward appearance is Japanese, on the inside, I am and always will be a foreigner in this country.

The "myargonauts" video I referenced, "The Myth of Fluency"
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjv6KRM8VIs

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• japan
• japanese
• culture
• japanese-american
• nikkei
• nikkeijin
• gaijin
• fluency
• language
• acquisition
• expatriate
• expat
• cross
• cultural
• communication

[kingdomofthenight]

I always wondered what it'd be like for a Japanese gaijin in Japan. It seems like you might have more trouble than the rest of us!

[NikkeinJapan]

@kingdomofthenight I'd say it has it's own dynamic. I don't know about more problems...but a unique set of issues, yes.

[MrCassavius]

my fear with japan is to go there and be isolated because of my lack of knowledge of the language, and from afar, japanese people seem very cold and distant, compared to latinamericans. Particularly, as a virile hot blooded male, Im worried my dry spell would be epic, and probably never end til I become one of those zen monks

[NikkeinJapan]

@MrCassavius I'd say many Japanese (not all, but many) are unsure about how to interact with foreigners. Thus they can seem a bit distant. But they're like any other people on the planet, there are quiet ones, funny ones, outgoing ones, weird ones, etc. It also depends on where you are in Japan. Tokyo people probably have a much more lively social life than I do. Young people move to the cities, and I'm left out in the countryside with the grandpas & grandmas.

[cientita0725]

NikkeinJapan さん、

Your acquaintance mentions others that you're Nikkei to let them know that "He is one of us" They embrace your japanese heritage and perceive you as a Japanese.

[nordikkennels]

I am a Japanese language student. I find that with any language there really is no end to leaning. You can become fluent and yet still constantly discover new words. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

[nantinee9]

Hi! I'm a Thai-American and can totally relate to what you're saying. I lived in Thailand for a year during my mid-20's and while my Thai improved I consider myself far from fluent. I was really glad to have this opportunity to live abroad and learn more about my heritage. It's nice to see your interest in Japanese language and culture and I hope you have a great experience living in Japan. For me, living in Thailand for a year is a decision I'll never regret.

[dhthoa]

Gambatene. I don't know if i write in wrong in English pronounce but i have that Everything will be fined now I move to Video number 5

[ussprinceton2004]

I really enjoyed this video you made. I can totally relate. I am 100% Filipino, but I only know a little bit of the national language, tagalog. I spend a lot of my time here in North Carolina, U.S., so I really don't feel the need to invest a lot of time trying to be fluent in tagalog. However, when I am in the Philippines, people there assume that I can speak tagalog fluently. The good part, is that, most people in the Philippines know English, and therefore, I just speak English to them

[kittiliciousanime]

:O language fatigue! I hate that. Completely and utterly hate it. When I go back to my "home" country, I get really bad headaches from listening to Dutch all day, everyday. I feel yah, man. Good luck with your living!

[NikkeinJapan]

@MrCassavius Don't worry Cassavius. Japanese is not a fast language to learn. Even foreigners living in Japan don't become extremely fluent in it (in terms of reading, writing, & speaking) unless they live in Japan for like 10-15+ years and study it very diligently during that time. Do try to master the basics though, you'll go pretty far with that.

[MrCassavius]

@LifeFirst Seems a tall order without getting the linguistic native immersion, or any real practice within Japan. Its also something very distant in the horizon giving the speed at which Im learning