I got the idea of this thread from Fabrice's post

ファブリス Wrote:Maybe we are beginning to realize that multi tasking is a myth, and doesn't make us happy.

This video is also a great one.

As learning Japanese contributes to communication with new and different-thinking people, it may also have the potential to contribute to our happiness.

Knowing & understanding Japanese makes me happy, learning is just what I have to do in order to reach that goal.

Think about it this way, if you were offered today an instant perfect and fluent Japanese (for free ) would you take it or prefer to learn it by yourself because you enjoy it?

Instant, perfect Japanese for free please! Not only would it save time but also it would save a lot of money spent on textbooks.

pudding cat Wrote:Not only would it save time but also it would save a lot of money spent on textbooks.

I haven't spent a penny on (oh, so many) languages so far. All I aways do is to ever so humbly ask Our Mother, the Internet, and She magnanimously sends everything to my computer. She often uses her angels - cyberspace ghosts - too. I've always been wondering how She chooses them! She's sometimes so whimisical.

For me the internet was good up to a point. I doubt though that it could provide me with a grammar book with answers and furigana in red text and a red plastic sheet to go over them for testing yourself. Also books don't make my eyes hurt.

pudding cat Wrote:For me the internet was good up to a point. I doubt though that it could provide me with a grammar book with answers and furigana in red text and a red plastic sheet to go over them for testing yourself. Also books don't make my eyes hurt.

You'd be surprised and you might want to reduce the brightness and sharpness of your monitor (I had a similar problem as well).

Japanese for free, eh? I'm not sure. I have enjoyed and not enjoyed studying in equal amounts. Would I take it for free? My gut says YES, my heart says NO. Yes, because it would be instantly useful and make my life easier. NO, because I chose this journey and it would belittle the worth of it if I took the easy route (what value would what I have done have if I could have my goal with no actual work).

In regards to the OPs post, I think Japanese pisses me off half the time. Language learning is so emotional. When I went to university I never got this annoyed, stressed out, joyous, over-excited, bored or just plain old happy. Sure there were good times, but Japanese and learning it has provided me with some solid ups and downs and, perhaps, a fair share of life lessons as well.

Hypothesis: Intellectual enjoyment/satisfaction supports happiness.

I've recently read a review on a book on happiness, the gist was there are two main factors:
-- the consciousness of all the positive aspects of your life (health, family, friends, possessions, not living in a third world country...)
-- social consideration in your own field (having and be respected by peers).
If you've chosen your field willingly, that pretty much sums it up for me.
I might add love, but I don't want to start a debate on love.

Cranks Wrote:

pudding cat Wrote:For me the internet was good up to a point. I doubt though that it could provide me with a grammar book with answers and furigana in red text and a red plastic sheet to go over them for testing yourself. Also books don't make my eyes hurt.

You'd be surprised and you might want to reduce the brightness and sharpness of your monitor (I had a similar problem as well).

I tried reducing the brightness etc on my monitor for a day but I got fed up with how drab all the colours looked It doesn't matter though because I love books! I just wish they were cheaper

Studying Japanese doesn't make me any happier than any of my other hobbies. Just another interest, albeit one that "feels" more productive, as I can claim it's not time wasted, I'm learning a new skill.

Japanese was once my heart and soul, I did it 24/7 and it gave me absolute fulfillment. Unfortunately I'm lacking that sort of commitment and effort these days...

thecite Wrote:Japanese was once my heart and soul, I did it 24/7 and it gave me absolute fulfillment. Unfortunately I'm lacking that sort of commitment and effort these days...

that's happenning to me nowadays because my main comptuer died. I'm in need of another job, since my temp job ended. I will probably will invest in a solid/decent size laptop once I can get another part-time job.

So I can get back on track to srsing fully and enjoying 100% jp all(as humanly possible)

jettyke Wrote:Hypothesis: Intellectual enjoyment/satisfaction supports happiness.

makes sense

pudding cat Wrote:It doesn't matter though because I love books! I just wish they were cheaper

Have you considered studying Chinese?

Chinese Amazon Wrote:译文名著文库066:动物农场 乔治·奥威尔 (George Orwell)... ￥6.40 ($0.98 USD)
动物庄园(附赠《动物庄园》英文版1本) [平装] 乔治·奥威尔 (George Orwell) ￥9.60 ($1.47 USD)

Vaste Wrote:Have you considered studying Chinese?

Chinese Amazon Wrote:译文名著文库066:动物农场 乔治·奥威尔 (George Orwell)... ￥6.40 ($0.98 USD)
动物庄园(附赠《动物庄园》英文版1本) [平装] 乔治·奥威尔 (George Orwell) ￥9.60 ($1.47 USD)

Hmmmmm.... I wonder why George Orwell is a popular author in China?

Four legs good.
Two legs bad!