Author of this article Kaneko
Naoko.

Photo by Lee Zong-yi

Taichung Japanese School
(Kaneko's husband teaches at
this school.)

Taichung: My Second Home

Words by Kaneko Naoko
Photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Ann Lee

Three years ago, I started my life here in Taichung. Although I'd spent time abroad, living and traveling in Western countries and Europe, the move to Taiwan would be my first time residing in Asia (outside of Japan, of course!). I remember, on my very first night in Taichung, I looked down onto the streets of the city from The Splendor Hotel. The bright lights and atmosphere gave me a feeling that was somewhat uncomfortable, as if it was going to be really hard to get close to the people and culture.

After I started officially living in Taichung, I was stunned by the many differences between here and Japan. Everywhere I looked, signs in Chinese and people talking in really loud voices reminded me of my language barrier. Although I had studied Chinese back in university, the only memory I had of this language was that it was a really difficult to learn; as a matter of fact, I never thought I would use it again in my life. "This is really giving me a headache," I said to myself, but deep down I realized that if I wanted to live an easier and happier life in Taichung, learning Chinese was an inevitable process.

To start this laborious task, I hired a tutor and started learning from the beginning again with everyday phrases and simple vocabulary. The part of Chinese that I found the most challenging was getting my tones and pronunciation correct. The sounds in Chinese are completely different from the sounds in Japanese, so I had to really work on moving my tongue and mouth differently.

After a few months here, I was beginning to understand what people were saying at the market and I was working on haggling with shopkeepers. Now, when I take a taxi or walk into a store, most locals ask me, "Where are you from?", "Are you here on vacation?", or something like "Is your husband from Taiwan?" It seems that wherever I go, I get asked the same questions over and over, but at least it provides a good avenue for a bit of Chinese practice. Some people even compliment me on how well I speak Chinese, which is flattering and makes me feel good about all my hard work.

While trying to learn everyday phrases and idioms, I've found that trying to learn by listening to what others are saying is quite important; even if I understand what I am reading on paper, I still find it hard to express some things in real life. But, if I try listening to people during their conversations, I can memorize little bits and phrases and in turn repeat them in my own conversations. No matter how many characters I write, it doesn't help me understand the variations of the four tones and pronunciation of the words. But if I learn from hearing, then my own speaking skills greatly increase.
When you live in another country, the best way is to constantly study its language with your ears and mouth. This to me, as a former English teacher in Japan, is a brand new learning experience. While studying language, I was often told, "All the learning happens right under your feet." I often carry a dictionary wherever I go to look up words I don't understand and make note of them. This is the most practical and most effective way to learn for me. The best way to memorize words--in any language--is to use them in practical, everyday situations, such as making a hotel reservation on the phone. If I am prepared, then I can pick it up really fast when I am talking to another person.

Getting to know a foreign language is like a slowly evaporating fog. Of course, I still have a long way to go! As I understand more and more vocabulary, the words become my tools. For those who tolerate my poor Chinese ability, the uncles and aunts at the market, the security guard at my apartment building and my Taiwanese friends, your generosity and helpful manners have helped me a lot during my days in Taiwan. When I told them that I was going home, they all felt really bad, didn't want me to leave, and asked if I would come back again.

All the language barriers I've encountered have slowly vanished like the fog over the last three years. As I moved out of Taiwan, I checked myself into The Splendor Hotel again. This time, while looking out the window, I knew the streets, I knew their names, I knew the shops, and was familiar with what was behind the little alleys and crooked streets. The awkward feelings I had in the very beginning have disappeared and been replaced with friends and memories; this is a place I will miss the most when I return home to Japan.

When I get back to Japan, I won't be hearing, speaking or learning very much Chinese, and I know it will make me lonely. Finally, as I enter the next stage of my life, I'd like to say thank you, farewell and I'll miss you to Taichung and its people. I'll never forget your kindness and the love I have for this city!