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…communicating in Japanese in the real world. When I say “the real world” I mean in a context which isn’t for the purpose of learning Japanese but in a context where you just meat someone who could speak Japanese, or something like this.
The first time is always so beautiful. Don’t you agree? Think of your first home, or your first kiss, or the first time you could read a text in Japanese and was sure you knew you understood it correctly (even though you had to look up half of the words).Personally I haven’t experienced communicating in Japanese in the real world yet. When it happens I’m sure the experience will fill me with satisfaction and self-confidence. It must be a wonderful experience. Have you tried it, and if you have, please tell me about it.
I never had the guts to speak Japanese yet.
However, I got very close to people speaking JP (a JP man and his interpreter) and that was really nice hearing them speak in front of me and me trying to grasp a thing or two.
A week before that, I interfered for a Japanese lady who was too polite to told the cashier that she had arrived before me. I told the cashier and invited the lady to go before me to which she responded “sumimasen”.
It sure is nothing for most people but It was my first interaction with a JP person ever \o/Cool. I don’t think it sounds like nothing. Every time I do anything I’ve learnt from my Japanese studies in real life, I get a little bit very much excited. Even if it is just reading a few words on a sign of a sushi restaurant.
I’m sure that lady you met would have filled me with excitement. You know, filled me with excitement in a awesome Japanese, not in any dirty way.Ahah. Yeah. Excitement too on the reading Kanjis (even when I know they’re actually hanji lol)
Utterly terrifying every time so far hah! It goes, Konichiwa, gomenasai, ENGLISH???, UM, chotto matte, ((opens up translator app, and has it translate english to japanese)), Arigatou gozaimasu!
I’ve been so excited just to learn how to read signs even though I don’t know what most of them mean. Its great to starting to understand words though and hear someone say it. Like oh that person just said something about our baby.
I only spoke a little bit during my 2-week stay in Tokyo. That was in 2012 and I hadn’t even started textfugu yet, so I only knew hiragana, katakana and some basics. I think the only real Japanese “conversation” besides すみません or こんいちは was when a cashier in a store asked “スイカですか?” upon seeing my suica card and I replied with そう。.
I know a lot more of Japanese now, but I would probably still be horrible at conversations. Still, at my next stay in Japan I will try to speak as much Japanese as possible. :)It’s a mixed feeling for me. The first time I tried to speak it with native speakers, I was nervous, but there was something exhilarating about it. Looking back however, and comparing to what I know now, I feel kind of embarrassed about how horribly I spoke it those first times.
Nowadays, I still have chances to speak (to the same people I spoke with in my first time) and I feel a bit better about my ability, though it’s still a bit nerve-wracking, especially when the words fall apart in my mouth, which still happens with disappointing frequency.
I’m at that point now where speaking it is still enjoyable, but I’m more often than not frustrated at my inability to say exactly what I want, and of course still only understanding a small portion of what’s said to me.
Though, one time that I will always cherish was the first time I helped a Japanese-speaking customer at my job. She was confused about some items and was visibly struggling with what little English she knew, and when I told her (in Japanese) that she could speak Japanese if she preferred, the blend of utter shock and relief on her face was a big boost.
Oh I can really imagine that situation when she found out you could speak Japanese. I hope once will experience a similar situation.
I would be incredible surprised if I met someone in another country telling me I can speak my native tongue to the if I prefer.
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