Recording summary · October 2019
[2019-10-18] Why I refuse to speak Japanese in Japan [s8gDSGxHm0w]
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Overview
Daniel avoids speaking Japanese in Japan and during video filming despite high proficiency, citing reasons such as personal convenience, video editing workload, customer preferences, social pressure, and identity conflicts with his English background.
Daniel discontinued studying Japanese after passing JLPT level 2 in 2011 and narrowly missing level 1, outgrowing a past desire to show off language proficiency, and expressing critiques of the language's efficiency, grammar, sound production, and his own feminine speech patterns.
Daniel filmed alongside a river opposite Osaka while waiting out a 10-minute timer, observing the sunset, rocks, train noise, and an airplane.
Themes
Reasons for avoiding speaking Japanese in daily life and videos
Language proficiency, JLPT testing history, and cessation of formal study
Linguistic and personal critiques regarding Japanese grammar, efficiency, pronunciation, and acquired speech mannerisms
Filming setting by a river opposite Osaka
Developments
Daniel passed level 2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in 2011 and stopped studying after missing level 1 by approximately 10 points.
Daniel filmed by a river opposite Osaka while waiting out a 10-minute timer.