I first got a real sense of the importance of language in international work as a junior diplomat in India. My Hindi (most of which I have forgotten by now) and English skills were invaluable there, and they opened a number of doors for me. Later, in Japan, I had to study Japanese for both academic and business purposes. In addition to being rewarding in itself, it helped me to meet a number of people and to expand both personal and career possibilities.
Although I speak Japanese every day, my reading skills are still limited, which causes difficulties. One minor example is the fact that I often find myself missing out on good deals and discount offers from flyers and advertisements that I'd be able to take advantage of if my reading skills were stronger. In my situation, good relations with neighbors and a network of Japanese friends are extremely useful in helping me to overcome reading-related difficulties. Needless to say, such relationships also provide many good learning opportunities.
My biggest piece of advice for those learning another language is to just try to communicate, without fear of one's own limitations. Just plunge in and don't worry too much about making mistakes. Communication is the most important thing. If you are willing to try, you will find that people are usually ready to open up, accept you, and look beyond your linguistic limits. In Japan, I am often amazed at the lengths people will go to help you find a station or navigate through the city if you simply ask. This has been a wonderful example of people's willingness to communicate across cultures and language barriers.
※Elumba氏ご登場の『GLOBAL MANAGER』第33号はこちら
