Language learning is like walking through the fog.

Please check out Walking through the fog  from Burritolingus.

 It contains the following statements from a renowned Japanese educator.

.....it is not possible to make rapid, extraordinary progress. Even though you try very hard, the progress you make is always little by little....

......It is not like going out in a shower in which you know when you get wet. In a fog, you do not know you are getting wet.

When you get wet in a fog, it is very difficult to dry yourself. So there is no need to worry about progress. It is like studying a foreign language. You cannot do it all of a sudden, but by repeating it over and over, you will master it.

Comments

[John Fotheringham]

Spot on. Having lived and worked in Japan, my hat goes off to Suzuki-san for seeing the truth in language learning (and sharing in a direct, logical, and brief way) in a country that still believes in grammar-translation and classroom-based learning, and which favors indirect, vague, take-no-position-lest-you-risk-a-loss-of-face communication.

I also got a kick out of the blog title; that alone is reason enough to reach literacy in Japanese! Here's a hint: it makes use of the most functional, adaptable, and user-friendly term in the English language!

[Steve Kaufmann]

Thanks for dropping by John and congratulations on how your blog is taking shape. I will definitely vote for it next year as the best language learning blog on the web.

[Burritolingus]

Out of the many people whom I draw inspiration from for learning Japanese, one of the most unlikely of them all would have to be Zen master Suzuki-roshi. Like the quote above, so much of what he teaches touches on the most humble, elegant fundamentals that we tend to lose sight of. Language learning is a simple, natural and gradual process that should never become overcomplicated.

At least, that's my take on things!

[Steve Kaufmann]

What we have tried to do at LingQ is to create an environment where the languages are the teachers, and members can enjoy the experience process of gradually having more words and phrases (call it moisture) stick to them as they walk through a mist enshrouded landscape of stories (content) of interest, occasionally pausing to notice milestones (known words) that tell them they have actually gone somewhere. Then gradually the fog lifts, everything becomes clearer as new patterns have settled in their brains.

[Burritolingus]

That's why I've taken such a liking to LingQ as of late, in fact. My primary methods of learning Japanese are by reading and listening, and I think LingQ really makes the entire process streamlined and fun. I'm currently chipping my way through various short stories on LingQ (I'm particularly enjoying 人間失格 right now) and am really enjoying the ride.

[Steve Kaufmann]

It is difficult to make the same system work for all languages and as you will find out on our Forums, not everyone is happy with what happens in our Asian languages. To me, however, perfection is not something that I associate with language learning, nor with a walk in the fog.

[Keith]

Unlike yourself John, I find the blog title utterly offensive. That kind of disrespect for others and inconsideration of others is nothing to be admired.

[Stuart]

Wow, is a cuss word in kana really that bad?

[Steve Kaufmann]

I usually do not read Katakana. I have always treated it as sort of noise when I read Japanese. I just have never paid much attention to it. I did not really notice what the Katakana said at this blog site.

I am not big cusser, at least in public. But then cuss words are all over TV, (which I do not really like). But I do not really see it as my place to tell other people what words to use and when. People are free to visit this blog or not.

I appreciated the content of the blog. The title of the blog did not make much of an impression on me either way.

[Meathead Jones]

Hey Steve, have you decided whether you're gonna take up the Russian challenge yet?

(I hope you're not going to chicken out on me here, buddy! If so, I might have to take up Russian myself, just to have the pleasure of reaching your static level in a single year!)

[Steve Kaufmann]

Remind me of your challenge. I thought I scared you off bby calling you names.

[John Fotheringham]

Thank you for your kind comments, Steve. I hope to continue expanding my site over the years to come.

Keith,

I don't think the title is meant to offend. If the author were aiming to insult Japanese people, I WOULD be offended, but such is not the case from what I have read so far on there.

I don't find any words inherently offensive (other than racial slurs); it is all a matter of use, tone, and intention.

[chris/blindside70]

I personally try to use cuss words sooo much that they become everyday or silly words... Scallywag for example... That used to be terrible... Why does it sound silly now?

'Cause of me. I think you all are a bunch of scallywags... spell that in kana...

[francis]

This is so true about learning a language. A lot of people forget that time is included in the equation of success. This goes for everything in life, even learning a new language. Thanks for this article.