If I could speak fluent Japanese…
With our Multi-epic summer giveaway over, and the lucky winners proudly enjoying their prizes, we took some time to reflect on the responses that we got in answer to the question:
This is a question that interests us a great deal, as one of the key things that we ask users of NihongoUp to consider is their motivation for learning Japanese. To learn a language involves a great time and energy investment, and to have a clear goal in mind does wonders for your personal motivation. After all:
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
— RALPH WALDO EMERSON
I’ve gone through the 300+ comments and picked out what I consider to be the most interesting, funny and unconventional things that people would do if they could speak fluent Japanese. Enjoy!
Gregg Muragishi
If I could speak fluent Japanese, I would regain a part of my family’s culture and finally be able to speak to my grandparents.
Kristjar Nielson
If I could speak fluent Japanese I would use it to enhance my small business across the globe. I would also use it as an excuse for not wanting to talk to people on the phone. Sumimasen kedo, watashi wa eigo zenzen wakarimasen. Ja ne! *click*
Ai Suzuki
If I could speak fluent Japanese I would go to Japan and try to pursue my dream as a Japanese rock musician.
Michael M
If I could speak fluent Japanese I would apply for a job at NihongoUp and use my talents to help others reach their goals 🙂
Hudson Murrell
If I could speak fluent Japanese, I would avoid uncomfortable lapses in conversation with some of my bosses.
Elisabeth Savoie
If I could speak (and read) fluent Japanese, I would be able to read Murakami in its original language, to speak Japanese with eventual Japanese friends and I could go see a lot of theater (and understand it) when I go to Japan next year!
JohnHeistuman
If I could speak fluent Japanese I would attempt to find a job translating Japanese into English for anime series either subbing or for a dubbing script. If there is one thing that drives me up the wall its [sic] translations that don’t even attempt to take into account the grammar differences. Naturally I would also visit if I could!
Lisa-MarieWildman
If I could speak fluent Japanese, not only could I go over there and be the happiest I’ve ever been, but I’d also be able to voice a character in my own Anime series.
Brittany Kelly
If I could speak fluent Japanese, I would do two things:
1. Go help out the new foreign exchange student at school who barely speaks English
2. Go buy all the Japanese pokémon games so I don’t have to wait a year for it to come out in america x)
Rene
If I could speak fluent Japanese I would get a friend to form a ‘manzai’ group with me and we’ll bring lots of laughters to people.
Dashita
If I could speak fluent Japanese I would travel to Japan use that ability to learn how to make wagashi from a wagashi master.
Haley
If I could speak fluent Japanese, I would want to make the web comics I draw available in Japanese in addition to English. It would be fun to make my characters have “deeper” personalities based on how their speaking style was in Japanese, and I could talk to Japanese-speakers who might read my story.
Cristamachine18
If I could speak fluent Japanese I would… tell my mother to learn it as well, so when someone is around we can speak in Japanese without them knowing what exactly we’re saying.
If you have been mentioned in this post, I’d like to reward you with a NihongoUp Hiragana & Katakana card set. Please contact us with your details and I’ll get one sent right out to you! (Those envious, these are available to buy for just $4.99… and they’re awesome ^_^)
