Lost in Translation: Navigating Life While in Between Languages
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It has been one month since I started my new life in Japan, living with a new family and attending a new school. Out of all the challenges during my time here so far, I would say complete language immersion has to be the most challenging yet most fulfilling part of this experience.
The Challenges of Real-Life Language Immersion in Japanese
I use Japanese every day with everyone in my life here who speaks Japanese. I usually only use English with my friends who are also in the program with me. The way younger Japanese people, especially boys, and adults speak Japanese differs significantly. Younger people tend to use a lot more slang words that they often have to explain to me when we talk, and talk quite fast. On the opposite end of the spectrum, elderly Japanese people tend to speak in a way that is really difficult for non-native speakers to understand, often due to regional dialects and speech patterns rarely used in standard Japanese.
Language at Play in School
In class, teachers are usually very understanding and give me a lot of grace when I miss cues, like bowing to the teacher, answering their questions, and not understanding announcements. That being said, if you feel anxious about people getting impatient with you not understanding them in Japan, there is no need to be worried. Additionally, other exchange students who come to Japan with you during your program can help you if you need assistance with the language barrier. Everyone goes into the program with different proficiencies and skills in the language, so two heads are better than one when it comes to comprehension.
Out and About
Services and shops can be quite hit-or-miss when it comes to speaking English or being patient with people not fluent in Japanese. From my personal experience, the best practice is to prepare what you want to say beforehand or have a translator app.
Home is Where the Heart is
Out of all the interactions that you might experience if you come to Japan, talking with your host family will be the most constructive type of immersion. They are there to listen to you and thoroughly explain words or any other parts of Japanese that you do not understand.
Prepared to Make Mistakes
Studying in Japan is one of, if not the best, ways to learn Japanese quickly, but it obviously comes with its own unique challenges that are unique to total immersion. Coming prepared with the knowledge that you will make mistakes and not always understand things is crucial to enjoying your time here and growing in Japanese.