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I’d like to start with a three-part series discussing my professional roles, as I’m often asked: “What is the relationship between these professions as a language teacher, educational engineer and classical singer?”
The Intimate Connection Between Language and Music
In this first post, I’ll focus on the relationship between being a language teacher and a classical singer. Language and vocal music are deeply intertwined. To sing well, one must truly understand the lyrics – but what does “understanding” really mean? It’s certainly more than just memorizing translations.
Cultural Nuances Through the Lens of a Simple Word
Let’s take the word “kiss” as an example, which frequently appears in song lyrics. Would Japanese people, who consider public kissing taboo, and Europeans, who kiss openly, share the same emotional connection to this word? There’s a distinct cultural difference here.
My desire to understand these cultural nuances led me to live in Europe. While living here, I discovered that kissing is indeed a natural part of daily life – from couples in parks to casual “bisou” (means “kiss” in French) messages. However, what struck me most was that despite its frequency, each kiss carries genuine meaning and emotion. The Europeans haven’t diminished its significance; rather, they’ve integrated it deeply into their way of expressing affection.
These discoveries have profoundly influenced my interpretation of songs. While it’s challenging to articulate precisely how this understanding has transformed my performances, I feel it has added new dimensions to my artistry: my interpretations seem to gain richer colors. The physical gesture of a kiss becomes more than just a romantic act – it transforms into a cultural bridge that enriches my musical expression.
Teaching Language Through Cultural Understanding
As our field is called “Didactique des langues et cultures” in French, teaching language alongside culture is crucial. However, merely presenting cultural information risks reinforcing stereotypes. So how should we approach this?
While this topic could fill an entire thesis, my approach to teaching Japanese involves exploring Japanese values together with my students through the language itself. I believe the foundation of successful communication through language lies in the genuine desire to understand others.
Looking Forward
Although I currently focus on teaching Japanese, I hope to someday teach European languages in Japan. This versatility is thanks to my graduate studies in “didactique des langues,” which focuses on language teaching methodology across multiple languages rather than specializing in just one.
In my next post, I’ll explore the connection between being a language teacher and an educational engineer. Stay tuned!