I’m enjoying it so far. I’ve been making my way through a bunch of translated cozy novels the last couple years, even the magical realism ones. I find they’re good at providing perspective. Thank goodness for Libby!
Reading books in your second language sure can be humbling... This is great advice though. Getting over the humility is half the battle.
Reading older, more difficult literature can ironically help with this too, if you have a good annotated copy. It's so slow that you go in with no expectations, and it often ends up being really relaxing.
Thank you, Eric! I actually want to read older Japanese literature myself someday, and knowing annotated editions can make the experience manageable (and even delightful) makes that goal feel a lot more real.
'You won't get good enough at reading. Reading gets you there.'
I totally agree with that! A skill can only be improved when it's being used.
It's just like a muscle when we do physical activities. Of course, we can choose something that is not too far above our level to make it more comfortable, but I don't think we can ever be fully prepared. Improvement happens in a space that is near, but outside, our comfort zone. By definition, this means that we can never be fully prepared for it and must step into a place where it might be a bit more challenging. However, challenging doesn't have to be negative. If we approach it with the right mindset and accept the challenge, it can actually be quite fun, in my opinion.
You also wrote, 'If you have a book in your target language, pick it up not to enjoy it yet, but just to see where you are'. That's really interesting because for me personally, it was actually quite the opposite. Of course, part of me was curious to see where I was, but I did pick a book to enjoy first. That was my priority. By 'enjoying it', I don't mean that I expected to understand everything as I would in my native language. I was far from it. However, it was still extremely important for me to choose something that I would enjoy in some way, even if it was only the pictures in a manga/comic book or recognising a few sentences from a story that I already knew or had read in my native language. If I can't enjoy the resource I choose in some way, I know I will eventually give up :D
The muscle comparison is spot on. Improvement happens just outside the comfort zone, so you can’t be 100% prepared. That slightly uncomfortable space is where progress lives, and it doesn’t have to be negative if you bring the right mindset.
I also really like your point about enjoyment. I said “pick it up not to enjoy it yet” to lower the pressure on people who wait until they “feel ready.” But you’re right. Choosing something you enjoy, even if enjoyment comes from pictures, a familiar story, or catching a few lines, makes sticking with it far more likely. For me personally, if I’m reading purely for pleasure I’ll read in English, so when I pick a book in Japanese it’s often because I want contact with the language, not the full comfort of enjoyment. That is why I suggested treating the first pass like a check-in rather than a reward.
Enjoyment and low pressure are not mutually exclusive; together they are probably the best combo for returning to a language. Thanks for sharing. That blend of curiosity and pleasure is exactly what keeps me reading. :)
I'm reading that book too, albeit in English. And I'm actually listening to the audiobook. ;-)
I’ve got a hold on the audiobook in Libby—how is it so far? Can’t wait to compare the translated version.
I’m enjoying it so far. I’ve been making my way through a bunch of translated cozy novels the last couple years, even the magical realism ones. I find they’re good at providing perspective. Thank goodness for Libby!
Reading books in your second language sure can be humbling... This is great advice though. Getting over the humility is half the battle.
Reading older, more difficult literature can ironically help with this too, if you have a good annotated copy. It's so slow that you go in with no expectations, and it often ends up being really relaxing.
Thank you, Eric! I actually want to read older Japanese literature myself someday, and knowing annotated editions can make the experience manageable (and even delightful) makes that goal feel a lot more real.
'You won't get good enough at reading. Reading gets you there.'
I totally agree with that! A skill can only be improved when it's being used.
It's just like a muscle when we do physical activities. Of course, we can choose something that is not too far above our level to make it more comfortable, but I don't think we can ever be fully prepared. Improvement happens in a space that is near, but outside, our comfort zone. By definition, this means that we can never be fully prepared for it and must step into a place where it might be a bit more challenging. However, challenging doesn't have to be negative. If we approach it with the right mindset and accept the challenge, it can actually be quite fun, in my opinion.
You also wrote, 'If you have a book in your target language, pick it up not to enjoy it yet, but just to see where you are'. That's really interesting because for me personally, it was actually quite the opposite. Of course, part of me was curious to see where I was, but I did pick a book to enjoy first. That was my priority. By 'enjoying it', I don't mean that I expected to understand everything as I would in my native language. I was far from it. However, it was still extremely important for me to choose something that I would enjoy in some way, even if it was only the pictures in a manga/comic book or recognising a few sentences from a story that I already knew or had read in my native language. If I can't enjoy the resource I choose in some way, I know I will eventually give up :D
The muscle comparison is spot on. Improvement happens just outside the comfort zone, so you can’t be 100% prepared. That slightly uncomfortable space is where progress lives, and it doesn’t have to be negative if you bring the right mindset.
I also really like your point about enjoyment. I said “pick it up not to enjoy it yet” to lower the pressure on people who wait until they “feel ready.” But you’re right. Choosing something you enjoy, even if enjoyment comes from pictures, a familiar story, or catching a few lines, makes sticking with it far more likely. For me personally, if I’m reading purely for pleasure I’ll read in English, so when I pick a book in Japanese it’s often because I want contact with the language, not the full comfort of enjoyment. That is why I suggested treating the first pass like a check-in rather than a reward.
Enjoyment and low pressure are not mutually exclusive; together they are probably the best combo for returning to a language. Thanks for sharing. That blend of curiosity and pleasure is exactly what keeps me reading. :)
とても共感しました。「準備ができてからではなく、始めることで整ってくる」という考え方が、とても大切だと思いました。自分を責めずに、今の状態を見る姿勢もすばらしいです。少しずつでも続けることで、感覚はちゃんと戻ってきますね。最後まで楽しんで読めるといいですね。
ありがとうございます！「Learning Languages as an Adult」シリーズを書いたことで、自分に対してあまり厳しくなりすぎずにいられるようになりました。今週は通勤中に同僚に会うことが多くて、読むペースがだいぶ落ちてしまいましたが、最後まで読み切るつもりです！♡
私は韓国語とスペイン語を勉強していますが、「細く長く」やっています。それこそ、大人の楽しみのための勉強・趣味なんです。自分に厳しくしないほうが楽しく続けられると思っています。