Japanese Humility
Those following the Youtube will have noticed my latest video on Humility. Although the general response has been rather good and sparked discussion, I (as usual) am not pleased with the turn out of the video. I feel as though I might have come off as a little preachy, and that I did not do a good enough job at explaining the whole point of the blog.
I’ve talked to a few friends about it, and they all OK’ed the vid and said it was fine. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Either way, please check it out and leave some feedback here if you’d like. I think I’m going to try and come back to this issue of Japanese humility in the future with a more “scholarly” approach.
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 am
People who learn Japanese for the sake of ingratiating themselves with Japanese people, baffle me. They baffle Japanese people even more.
Studying a foreign language with a focus only on the end result (your goal - high degree of fluency, praise from native speakers, whatever…) is a rough way to go about it and will probably leave you feeling less than satisfied with your progress at any given time. I’ve taught lots of Japanese students English, and the ones who didn’t enjoy studying it were usually miserable during class.
You can only do your best with your given Japanese ability; You can’t force anything. The best thing you can do is just keep plugging away and studying. And, if a Japanese person wants to treat you like a monkey who somehow managed to learn a trick or two, leave that person in the dust and find a real Japanese friend; One who’s actually interested in what you have to say rather than the way you say it.
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I suppose I really didn’t clarify my points well enough in that video.
I’ll do better next time.
I realize I probably made everyone (Japanese people & those learning Japanese) look like a bunch off shallow jerks in this vid. I did forewarn in the side bar that this was not meant to be taken as a whole truth and there are obviously enough exceptions to make the video a hit or miss in terms of peoples personal experience.
The focus was probably too much on the negative aspects of humility, rather than the benefits of being able to comprehend it. I suppose, more than anything this video was a way to vent my own confusion with people I’ve seen come as far as me with only one thing on their mind: to impress others. I’ve seen a lot of those people hit their plateaus however, due to their inability to be humble about their progress, and their pointless intentions. Which resulted in them making not the best of Japanese friends, and in some cases none at all.
Of course not all (probably close to no) Japanese person will respond like I did in my example. I suppose I was trying to make the humor to strong and forgot to explain the point of it all. Oh well, there’s always next time.
Thanks for the comment, Billy.
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Haha.
Actually, I think you made your points pretty clearly. The video is cool. When I say “you,” I mean people in general, so I hope I didn’t sound too preachy.
Anyway, after living here for several years, it shames me to remember the times when I acted like a complete tool and tried to show off what I thought were mad J-skills. Haha.
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
No no, I didn’t think you were making reference to me in specific or anything. Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it!
Somehow it is always like that isn’t it? You look back at yourself 2-3 years ago, and at the time you are so proud of yourself, but when you think back from your current state you just think “what an IDIOT!” haha. But the only reason you got to where you are is due to experience and effort. If you look back and think you are as big a hotshot as you were 3 years ago, you probably haven’t progressed that far.
(again “you” as in general haha).
Again, it all ties together with humility, being able to admit we are wrong sometimes and have a lot to work on, no matter how far we have come. Thinking we are always right is just straight up nonsense, and thus the backhand needs to come out.
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
its all in the backhand
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I think the video was fine Andrew and you just need to consider the personality of the person presenting (in this case you) and take that into account when getting a tone for the message …in your case like you mention, you used humour and it was fine.
I know my Japanese pretty much sucks, i try but i run out pretty quick when in conversations ….. unfortunately i haven’t got the time or inclination to sit in a class after work and i prefer to learn as i go, stuggling through each encounter and trying as much as i can. Learning about biji-san and buying big red apples sucked for me so i ditched it.
I know what you mean re some people trying to get props for the little Japanese they know …. i have heard this on several occasions and ty not to fall into that habit.
Keep up the videos anyway man.
May 24th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Nah–this video didn’t offend me. The Hand of Humility was good (and although I don’t need it with my Japanese–’cuz it really does suck–I will try to incorporate it more into life in general.)
If you (i.e. anyone reading this) has gone to an anime convention, you may have met the type of extreme individuals that Cruxay and Koichi make fun of. If you’re not that kind of person, don’t get all offended….
‘Course, Cruxay and Koichi do make good points for the rest of us to keep in mind. Maybe we’re not full-fledged cosplay-clad crazies, but I DO think its important for all of us be constantly vigilant about our reasons for studying Japanese. That enthusiasm (which is great) can turn into arrogance and creep up on you. Or at least turn you into the type of bore who always fixes the conversation on oneself/one’s abilities. Perhaps I’m deviating from my thesis…but, good job.
P.S.–When poking fun, disclaimers are a necessity! I <3 anime conventions and lots of cosplayers are very cool peeps. But there are those outliers, you know?
May 24th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Dam Crux you’re one of the best looking guys on youtube and NO i’m not brokeback!
May 24th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Rayz - thanks for my Sunday laugh …. i often punch out a Brokeback reference to get a message across … glad to see others have the same sense of humour.
May 25th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
HAHA np, yea the Brokeback reference is used quite often here in Canada.
May 26th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Haha! Nice to see everyone is getting along while I’m away
A new video has been spinning around in my head. Can’t wait to get it out this week.
May 27th, 2008 at 2:57 am
so… being a ninja DOESN’T make me japanese in any shape or form? well, that’s a kick in the balls as i’ve been watching all the naruto episodes and making realultimatepower.net my bible for the past… fuck knows when
but yea, nice vid