Language Barrier

[stan_ph]

I'm an alien. In Tokyo, that is. I've been here for almost 3 months and counting about 4 more before i fly back home to the Philippines.

Like everyone else, i suppose, being in a foreign country for the first time, you feel exhilirated and excited about the new places you will see, those that you have, so far, only read about or seen in movies. My first time in America, i was awestruck. So was i, the first time i set foot here in the Land of the Rising Sun. And indeed, my life here has been... what's the word... "peachy." Beautiful places, wonderful experiences, and the Japanese people have bee, so far, very nice and friendly to me. And although i've never felt alienated... i've never felt so alien in my entire life. The main reason, i guess, is the language barrier.
Coming from a country in which English is practically the second language, (and, in some cases, judged by how fluently you speak it. sad, ain't it?) i really thought i can just easily travel across the world with my impeccable English skills in tow. I was proven wrong. Now, i'm beginning to become a master at the art of speaking in "Tarzan" English (you know.. "Me, Tarzan.. You, Jane") while complementing it with hand and facial gestures just to be understood.

But this is not just about English... it's about communication. Why should there be language differences? Why can't everyone just speak the same language? Never mind if it's English, or Japanese, or French, or Swahili... as long as everyone across the globe understand each other. Would it make the world a better place? Would there be more talks and less wars? More agreements than disagreements? Would "World Peace" finally be no longer a myth?

Come to think of it... if that were true... shouldn't there be anymore violence in America. Heck, they all speak the same language, why do they still battle it out on the streets, in government? Why should there be a North and a South in Korea if they understand each other well in their own language? Why are there still rebels and soldiers, fighting on different sides, yet speaking the same tongue?

If you've ever been in a Tokyo train on rush hour, then you've never been in a CROWDED space. Anyway, the other week, on my way to my Japanese language class, i was lucky enough to find a seat near the door. Now in Tokyo, unlike in our country, the men don't give away their seat to ladies. That was a shocker for me at first but it's a habit that i easily got used to (hey, you'd easily get used to something that's convenient for you too, ok?). Anyway, i saw this lady enter the train with two heavy bags. She wasn't that much old but she was struggling with the things she was carrying. I tried my hard not to make eye contact or even glance her way yet somehow, old habits die hard... i motioned to her my seat. And although i never said a word about how i am offering her my seat (that's partly because i didn't know how to say it!) i felt her smile and her gratitude beam to me as she bowed countlessly before taking my seat.

In hindsight, language never really has anything to do with it. It will always be possible not to share the same tongue yet share a same seat together. You may speak different languages yet you will always recognize kindness and a smile without having to utter a single word.

Language is never really a barrier... sadly, it's lack of understanding that usually lack.

[hayaren]

Well said stan_ph san, I had been to Tokyo and the nearby prefectures occasionally to visit my in-laws. In the context of your observation that’s no delusion in fact I can relate in the same manner with you during my first stopover. I was not bothered at all with communication related problems beforehand traveling to Japan bearing in mind that Japan is the second largest booming economy in the whole world...who would have thought we’re in the 21st century and still language is the primary barrier over there? It’s a sad fact though…

Away from Philippines I’ve inhabited for pretty 7 years in United Arab Emirates….that runs till present day. I was assuming that the same system UAE has embraced being the first Arab nation that opened its doors to western influence expansively, in ship shaping the diverse vernacular’s owned by every expatriate residing here all media publications, street signage, billboards from anything to everything that is readable one area is scripted in Arabic and one side would be English… fair and square for everyone isn’t it? UAE is a small country it could hardly be seen even in the world map compared to Japan. But over here, we all live in awesome harmony…languages tattering around the corner, Arabic ranging from which Arab state , Filipino dialects, Persian, Hindi, Urdu, Singhalese, variations of European English accents, French, Chinese, Japanese, Africaans…name all the nationalities admirably we co-exist here. Although most people are disoriented in some way in interconnecting themselves even casual conversations in English yet we thrive by getting involved into the conversation…and of course not to miss out complementing the hand gestures.

As an individual we have different point of views…let’s turn it the other way around and language won’t be a barrier if we all give the emphasis to inspire our thoughts to the uniqueness of every human race. We’d better drive ourselves with tongue-challenge. For the most part we feel alienated to a place for some period of time but afterwards frequent encounter with the locals, be in the get go with the inside out of the place …looking back how it all had been…..hey isn’t that was worth taking for?:)

"The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs"

[geminigirl]

good perceptions!!:) it seems language has never been a problem for us Filipinos, being known to be very adaptable and flexible, an adventurer exploring all the nooks and crannies they can find, and a quick-learner especially in speaking a foreign language and living in a foreign land. this adaptability and flexibility outshines all the difficulties in communicating with other people in a foreign country. and more often we find other races responsive to how we communicate even with hand gestures devoid of words. and the good thing is, we find ourselves connecting with people in new and interesting ways without so much fuss.

sure enough it's the lack of understanding or even the difficulty to speak the language that makes our first few days in a foreign land tough, but i would say that language has never been a dilemma for us. maybe for the first few days, but soon the boundaries will be gone and you will find out that you're now getting a kick out of speaking and understanding the language. somehow it's good to learn with the harmonious balance of wit and humor....and challenge.

[mOtt_erU]

Undeniably true yang sinabi mo Stan ph.
"Point" was well elaborated.