Oh yeah, I’m finally here.
I found that essence rare, it’s what I looked for
I knew I’d get what I asked for
If I’m being honest, I don’t exactly remember how I first learned about WaniKani. I’ve been trying to have a go at this Japanese language thing for… well, it’s been quite a long while. There have been several attempts since I was 15, and I’m 25 now. And every time, I been stonewalled by the same thing: kanji.
For most of my time learning Japanese, kanji were these small logographs depicting hate and spite. They were utterly inscrutable and may as well have been invented in an alien planet located inside a parallel dimension. I knew they weren’t just random squiggles of ink, but I just couldn’t grasp them; they seemed so out of reach and out of the domain of the things I was capable of.
Then, through one manner or another, I stumbled upon this article by Tofugu, and my entire world got flipped-turned upside down, like at the end of Fight Club when it turns out Tyler Durden is the protagonist’s long-lost father. Specifically, this image:
It turned out that no, kanji were not impenetrable and there is indeed an easier way. Suddenly, kanji made sense. And I could actually have a go at them! So, needless to say, I signed up for WaniKani faster than you can say “phonetic-semantic composition”. It was the winter of my discontent, made glorious summer by the sun of the Crabigator.
So, to studyin’!
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail
Frustration is quite an ordeal, but it’s an ordeal one must endure when learning a language. After all, the natives have decades of practice on you, what chance do you stand? And if there is one ability that is absolutely crucial to learning a language it’s being able to continue despite frustration. I learned this the hard way when I was learning English in my early teens, and so I was prepared for it. I first tried to tackle a text in Japanese when I was level… 6, perhaps? And I immediately hit a brick wall.
Yeah, turned out the early levels don’t do much. Although the old guide that used to exist before the knowledge base told me so, I wasn’t prepared for how out of my depth I would be. And that was extremely frustrating.
But… well, I gave up two times. This is my third attempt, but third time’s the charm, right?
Do you know what made me return each time? Pride. Yeah, I’m a bit ashamed to admit it, but ultimately the reason why I returned each time I gave up was because my pride wouldn’t let me sleep easy at night knowing I had this unfinished business that I was the sole reason I didn’t finish. And so I each time I returned.
But eventually, it all clicked. I was able to actually read texts in Japanese. Things were beginning to come together. It all… made sense? Somewhere around level 25, I was able to somewhat fluidly read uncomplicated texts. Even some more complex material felt like it was within reach.
Do you know what we call that in the business? Results.
That was my single greatest motivation to keep going. Results. This was, indeed, working.
You check the charts
And start to figure it out
And if it’s crowded, all the better
Somewhere last year, I clicked on an innocuous looking thread, following most a couple years of basically never using the forums. I didn’t think much about it at the time, but little did I know I would be
ruining improving my life.
That’s right, I clicked on the POLL thread.
Now, all sarcasm aside, it’s been lovely ever since I joined POLLfam, and my POLL bros are part of the reason I got through it this time. It’s just such a great place to be on the internet, and it’s just such a breath of fresh air with its great banter and high quality discussions.
Keep being awesome, POLLfam 
also one of y’all introduced me to etsy
The happy ever after
It’s at the end of the rainbow
It’s not over yet, though. While I have used my newfound powers for good and for… other purposes, there’s still a lot to pursue. I’ve fallen a bit behind on my grammar, and even though I’m reading a lot of material a lot of it questionable, I think I could do more reading practice. I also haven’t done any listening comprehension at all.
That’s the thing, ain’t it? You never really stop learning a language. Even if you think you’ve mastered every aspect of a language, well, the language will keep changing, and you’ll have to learn those changes. It’s a kind of Sisyphean madness.
But there’s some beauty in that madness.
And now, some chill 70s beats for you to study to
Can - Future Days
Neu! - Hallogallo
David Bowie - Moss Garden
Kraftwerk - Die Mensch-maschine
Gang of Four - Love Like Anthrax
^>^
also I think 
