I combine my Linguistics and Japanese knowledge: Japanese lessons in Birmingham!

Find out more about Lauren

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I speak this language fluently because of my determination to learn. After picking up a few words in Japanese here and there during my martial arts training, i realised I had a genuine fascination for all things Japan. I began learning at home, which evolved into nightclasses, and from there I was encouraged to go to university to get a degree in Linguistics and Japanese.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  It has to be Mineko Iwasaki or Yayoi Kusama. Both artists in their own way, one is a traditional Geisha and another is a modern artist utilising surrealism and colour. These show case the extremities and the similarities in the wonderful world of Japanese culture.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  My favourite word is "natsukashii" 懐かしい which means nostalgia.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Phonetically, it is fascinating. It is a very literal language that one must think out side of the box for when it comes to interpretation. The Kanji is so interesting and clever in the way that the symbols represent, and sometimes look like, what they mean. This language matters to me because it is not exactly super common to speak Japanese and I want more people to know about how it is not that difficult to learn.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  The only thing that inhabits people from learning any language is themselves. Fear, self doubt or not putting in the work outside of class time themselves. If you don't do the homework, you aren't going to improve.
  People get overwhelmed by the fact that it has 3 writing systems. But it is not that hard and can be learned in a weekend if you put your mind to it and use apps. Make it fun and into a game!

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Japanese is a suspenseful language. In that, the most information laden, important part of the sentence, comes at the very end, which is the verb. So, often, the listener is waiting in suspense, until the end of the sentence to gain what the speaker is talking about.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Immersion in a language is vital. Increase your input. Do less talking, more listening. Listen to podcasts, watch TV or films in that target language, do everything to expose yourself to Japanese even if you don;t understand because the more you listen, gradually, the more you will know.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  Because I understand the intricacies of grammar, linguistics, phonetics, pronunciation, culture, individual background and also i am extremely passionate in this language. It has become my whole life.