what makes a language hard to learn?

First, please refer to the picture above. That's how the conversation that lead me to writing today's post began. (thanks ta132).

Second. As you might have noticed already, I sometimes start going off topic. Sorry. I tend to remember things I want to write when I'm writing something elso so that I don't forget. 

What makes a language hard or not to learn is subjective. Everyone learns differently according to  what one thinks is more effective to its study. 

人には自分なりの生き方・興味・方法・考え方などがある。人間はそのものだから。

On chosing a language

Personally. I couldn't care less if a language is similar or not to my own. Would I ever chose to learn a language just because its similar to mine? Hell, no. 

When I was in high school I had to chose between spanish and german. I chose spanish, not because its easier, not because its similar to portuguese but simply because I (even though I usually say I don't - プライドが高い) I like spanish. I do not consider myself a speaker though.

Actually, I've written about how I started studying japanese, methods, etc etc. But truth is, I also studied chinese. And when I was in my first year of college the competion between those two in my head was fierce. like seriously. If I studied japanese, "fuck yeah, japanese is better, Hamasaki Ayumi, Japan, yay!", and then I had to turn to chinese "holy crap, this one is cool too, humm, Wang fei's music is cool too...and our tests are so easy..."

Anyway, I did not know what path to chose, and those days were crazy. I simply can't focus on two languages at the same time because it would make even more imperfections on the study of the other one. And my 知恵袋 just doesn't stand that. 

But anyway, since that time two years have passed. I'm 20 (almost 21), chose Japanese and I'm in Japan. Still a bit lost on what I want to do in the future, but one thing's I want for sure, to use the Japanese language. What made me chose japanese is too much and deep to write here, If I ever write a book, I'll write it there. 

SO! In order to start (chose) a new language one should:

-have an interest in the language and culture of the country (learning the language just because one was made or had no other choise other than -unemployment- to live in the country must be so sucky and ineffective I don't even want to think about it)

- Be motivated. Having a genuine interest is a great motivator but not enough. I know people who love Japan but studying japanese is too 面倒くさい and takes a lot of time. oh and it has kanji. 

- Know that the beggining is the hardest part. Unless one goes at a slow pace and never reaches other levels other than "rookie".

What makes a language hard to learn?

Not the grammar, not kanji, not whatever-else-is-related-to-studying-a-language. What makes a language hard is having no motivation. Wanting to do it but not doing it. I can relate. I want to do so much that I end up not doing everything. I might not do x, but I always do y to improve the same skill (like internet articles instead of literature, or like watching ayu ready or drama instead of the news).

Like, I'm not motivated right now, I'm not burning to learn japanese. 

I think it's because I've reached a level where I'm allowed to "do" that because I do it everyday no matter what. the things I'm interested about are also in japanese so, do I have any other choice? Fortunately no. Besides I'm in Japan and whenever I open my mouth here is to speak japanese (unless I'm using skype).

But seriously, how I wish I could have that fire everyday. It changes me for real and makes me absorb japanese easily. It's like being empowered after having a strong coffee (by mistake in my case). 

My motivator now is the daily small things I do in Japanese. The things I want to do in the future related to japanese. Japanese people and their beautiful sensitiveness, 絆, ways of thinking, and their endless knowledge, the Japanese language itself, the complexity and beauty of the Japanese culture.

What actually matters if the daily "effort" you put in daily. DAILY. But would I call it effort? No. I'd call it love. And I like studying the traditional way too, once in a while it really feels good. But I'd be tired if I had to do it like that everyday. I did it until I decided to take the risk and going for harder challenges. Glad I did it...

I'm talking on learning languages here. Learning practical skills such as translation is a whole different story. And those require serious work. And the hardest work is not necessarily with japanese but with our own.

I want to write some more, but it's getting late and my head just can't take it anymore. Damn, I can't expose all my thoughts if I keep writing at night... | :