Comments by "Canice Tang" (@canicetang8837) on "Why I Still Suck at Japanese After Living in Japan for 5 Years" video.
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@ That Japanese Man Yuta
I understand that you speak English very well from your videos. English is actually very difficult for Asian people growing up there. The reason simply is that there are a lot of 'exceptions' to the already many rules they have.
As well, similar to other languages. Regional spelling and usage of words will be different depending on where you live. Not only U.S. English are different than the English from the UK. But within their own countries, each region has their own dialects and also with words that might not be used anywhere.
It is exactly when a foreigner learning the typical Kanto based Japanese instructions, then being somewhat confused when speaking to locals in Kansai.
Moreover, with changes in time, some of the English grammar taught only 50 years ago are hardly used today. An example is the double past tense, such as 'had had', and so on. Similarly, a novel written in the Meiji Era would have today's folks scratching their heads a little. Just like every other languages.
What makes Japanese difficult is the learning of the basics, combined with the more complex structures in the immediate part, leading to the advanced part of the language such as Keigo and 'The Everyday Kanji'. It is more like about 3,000 to get by reading a normal newspaper. The difficult trick for Kanji is to know all the uses of the 'On' (Chinese Meaning and pronunciation) and the Kun (Japanese Meaning(s) and their pronunciations) within the context of the sentence itself.
In addition, the culture and the society of Japan has a large variance of how to write, read or express the same message in Japanese. One must always be reminded of his/her status and the addressing audience/company to make sure that it is always correct. This notion is often find in societies where group ordinance always preceding individuality.
Learning any languages would be difficult by yourself without support of tutors or friends who can interact and giving crucial 'face-to-face' time. Therefore, in an immersion environment where you are forced to speak and learn. You would learn faster and adjust more to the language than just by the audio route.
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@ rockshot100 There is only a huge difference between John Daub and Greg.
Greg works at home. He has no one to talk to and really needed immersion experience to succeed in learning Japanese. Sure, his family can help him that by going completely cold turkey in English. But they really have to help him rather than choosing the much easier path, which obviously is not working.
Besides, John had been living in Japan for the last 20 years. He taught English, then quickly branching himself in TV work for NHK and later in his famous YouTube videos: "Only in Japan". Not only he had exposure by speaking daily, but he traveled more in Japan than a Japanese born native has ever experienced. Seriously, who would making a video hitchhiking from the most Northern Point in Hokkaido all the way down the corridor to the most Southern Tip in Kyushu?
More importantly, John was single until just recently married a few months back (and congrats by the way)! So his career was everything and he could immersed himself in learning Japanese very quickly.
Your point is well taken and meant well obviously. Greg just needed his family or perhaps taking time to speak with others. Whether it is through volunteering in the community, doing a part-time job, or anything that he could get his practise by encouraging himself to speak. Like everything else, you have to crawl before you can walk. But making a brave step to do the baby walk is important too.
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