Why I thought learning another language would be easy

I've always loved learning languages. I speak a few European ones and have dabbled in a couple more. I used to think that once you'd learned a few, picking up another would be a breeze. After all, you already know how to learn, right? Well, that theory held up-until I started learning Japanese.

Unlike the languages I'd studied before, Japanese doesn't use the Latin alphabet. That alone made it feel like I was starting from scratch in a way I never had before. I thought that in the age of Duolingo and endless language-learning apps, this wouldn't be a big deal. But I quickly realised that no amount of digital flashcards could replace the simple act of physically writing out characters to help them stick in my brain.

Back to basics-literally

In my previous language-learning experiences, I could at least read the words, even if I didn't understand them. But with Japanese, I had to go right back to the beginning. I found myself practicing hiragana and katakana the way a child would-tracing characters over and over again until they became familiar. It was humbling, to say the least.

At first, I was frustrated. I wanted to progress as quickly as I had with other languages, but it just wasn't happening. I kept comparing my Japanese learning journey to my previous experiences, and the comparison wasn't flattering. It felt like I was moving at a snail's pace.

Then, something shifted. Instead of seeing my slow progress as a failure, I started treating Japanese like a puzzle-one that I was determined to solve. And that changed everything.

When I stopped comparing my progress to other languages and started seeing Japanese as a puzzle, my frustration turned into curiosity.

Finding joy in the challenge

Once I stopped expecting Japanese to fit into the same learning patterns as my previous languages, I started enjoying the process a lot more. I let go of the idea that I had to master it quickly and instead focused on small victories-recognising a kanji character in a sentence, understanding a phrase in a song, or successfully ordering food in Japanese without hesitation.

One of the biggest surprises was how much I enjoyed writing. I never thought I'd be sitting at my desk, carefully practicing stroke order like a primary school student, but here I am. There's something oddly satisfying about getting a character just right. It's almost meditative.

I never thought I'd enjoy writing Japanese characters by hand, but there's something incredibly satisfying about getting a stroke just right.

Seeing language from a new perspective

Learning Japanese has challenged my brain in ways I didn't expect. It's forced me to think about language differently-not just in terms of vocabulary and grammar, but in how meaning is conveyed through writing, tone, and even cultural context.

For example, Japanese has different levels of politeness built into the language, which means that how you speak depends on who you're talking to. That's something I'd never really encountered before in such a structured way. It's fascinating to see how language reflects cultural values.

Now, instead of feeling overwhelmed by how much I still have to learn, I'm excited by it. Every new word, every kanji character I memorise, every sentence I successfully put together feels like a small victory. And those small victories add up.

What's next?

Right now, I'm just enjoying the process. The pieces of the puzzle are slowly coming together, and I'm having fun figuring it all out. I know I still have a long way to go, but that's okay. Learning Japanese has reminded me that the journey is just as important as the destination.

So, if you're thinking about learning a language that's completely different from anything you've studied before, go for it. It might be frustrating at first, but if you embrace the challenge, you might just find yourself enjoying it more than you ever expected.