Mistakes are The Norm

In learning, mistakes are the norm. Every so often you feel embarrassed, exhausted but excited by the mistakes you make. I’d like to dedicate my next few posts to our dearest Mistakes.

何かを学ぼうとすると、間違えることは避けられない。恥ずかしい思いをし、ボロボロになり、しかし楽しいもの。これから何回かを、我々の「愛おしい失敗」に捧げようと思います。

Learning something new is a process with plenty of trial and error. Embarrassments come up along with contradictions between what you believe should be and what really is. You feel frustrated by the idea that you can’t live up to your own expectations.

何かを学ぶことは、試行錯誤の繰り返し。こうあるべきなのにという姿と現実とが、ぶつかるときに、恥ずかしい思いが生まれます。こんなはずじゃないという思いにフラストレーションがたまるのです。

Even after some years of learning you still stumble on simple tricks of the language. Small conversations about unfamiliar topics with total strangers, response to casual and colloquial courtesy of nice, friendly people. All of these put you into a real challenge. You search for the right word or phrase to express your ideas and feelings, but the attempt comes to nothing. What you’ve learned from the books may sound absurd. You sense something wrong going on during the communication. An awkward smile is of little help when you have no more linguistic arrows in your quiver. You see a question mark pop up over the other one’s head while you’re digging into a hoard of words and expressions you’ve gleaned on the battlefield of language learning.

ある言語を、何年も学んだあとですら、単純な問題にぶつかることがあります。見知らぬ人と慣れない話題についてさらっと会話すること、ちょっとした人の気遣いに応えること。これこそが苦労の種になるわけです。思いや気持ちを伝える適切な言葉やフレーズが思いつかなかったり、本で学んだことがまるで使い物にならなかったり、気まずくなるわけです。もうネタがなくて、笑ってごまかしても、どうしようもない。相手の頭上にクエスチョンマークが浮かんでいるのがわかり、歴戦のなかで拾い集めてきた単語や表現を必死に思い出そうとするわけです。

In the outset, you envisage your future self and lay out the plan just as you line up the stepping stones toward the other side of the wild stream. Your hard work, however, doesn’t always pay off. Learning is always exhausting because the gushing current of the unknown washes away the stones you have painstakingly placed since you’ve got your feet wet. You want to believe your paving efforts to be reasonable, rational and rewarding. But the reality always betrays you. 3 steps forward, 2 steps back.

最初は、未来を思い描き、計画を練るわけですが、激しい流れの向こう岸まで飛び石を並べていくのに似ています。しかし、努力は報われるとは限らない。学びは、エネルギーを奪う。恐る恐る始めてから必死に続けてきた努力が水の泡に帰してしまうこともある。地道に続けてきた努力は、間違いなくいつか報われると信じたいのですが、現実に裏切られる。3歩進むと、2歩戻る。

You always feel unsure and insecure about your efforts after these defeats. Each daunting mistake devours your enthusiasm and makes it hard to sustain the original level of grit. Even more difficult is continuing your learning journey with a day-to-day heavy load. It’s a battle against an aging bodily system, hectic daily duties or sheer unwillingness to move yourself forward.

こうしたガックリ体験のたびに自信を失ってしまう。やる気は奪われ、当初のガッツもなくなっていく。日々の負担もありながら、学びを続けるのは、なおさら難しい。年老いていく身体、日々のドタバタ、もしくは単に気が乗らなかったり。

Look at yourself in the mirror. Bruises are not scars but medals. Your sense of defeat, discouragement and imperfection signify the intensity and seriousness with which you meet challenges, experience and savor life. You don’t have to be ashamed of what you did wrong. You can take pride in what you have done. An embarrassments is a good old friend. Mistakes are what it takes to grow. (To be continued)

鏡に映る自分の姿を見てみましょう。苦しんだ痕は、傷ではなく勲章。敗北感やガックリ感、もうムリ感、そういったものはしかし、困難、経験、人生をガッツリ真剣に受け止めた証。失敗は恥ではない。むしろ誇り。恥ずかしい失敗は、なじみの友だち。失敗は、成長のもと。

Tag: Dear Mistakes…
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Trouble Is A Friend
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