I started teaching myself German in 1967. I had finished my apprenticeship and wanted to work in West Germany. In 1969 I got a job in Cologne and after 12 years became fluent in written and spoken German. Eventually I became a technical translator at the company I was working for. I've never forgotten the language. It's rusty now, but as soon as I spend a few days in Germany it all comes back, like riding a bike. To learn German initially I used the book Hugo Teach Yourself German in Three Months, a version of which is still available. I also tuned into West German radio on long wave after dark when reception was better. The first thing I understood was the weather forecast in German, because the same phrases are repeated in nearly every forecast. Don't forget that in 1967 there was no internet!

@ruthaisling

2 ай бұрын

That’s amazing, thanks for sharing your story! ❤️

@EricAdamsonMI

13 күн бұрын

Very cool! I observe that while learning one's second language, the mechanics of grammar become evident, informing one at a "meta“ level, as to the function of Grammar, writ large. This is like driving an unfamiliar automobile. Understanding cars on a meta level leaves one with an awareness of functions supported by an abstract Automobile, so sitting in an unfamiliar car, one sorts out it's various features, like how to operate the blinkers, shift gears, operate the windshield wipers, etc. and develop a functional concordance explaining how key operations performed in an abstract vehicle are performed in THIS particular vehicle. This vehicle might have distinctive features, such as glow plugs in a diesel-powered vehicle, that leave one with an updated metamodel for Automobile, that is aware of some vehicles having a special preheating procedure by virtue of utilizing a fuel with distinct combustion properties. Learning a third language involves metamodel distinctions such as the directionality of their written form, e.g. right-to-left, usage or absence of articles, etc. I'll share something relevant to German and my German background, later on. Composing on my phone is somewhat fumbly!

I wondered about your Japanese subtitles, why they were there. Now I get it. I lived in Japan for three years either side of three years at Uni (also studying Japanese), but this was waaaay back in the 1980s. In 2017 I took my son there for a visit and at that point hadn't spoken the language (or read it etc) in about 20 years. That trip reignited my love for Japanese, and so I studied up hard and took the JLPT the next December. I passed N1 on my first try - so proud of myself for that. Language learning now is so much easier than it was in the 80s. You've got podcasts, slow news, KZread TV series, magazines, blogs - so much interesting material to use to immerse yourself in. I think interest is key - I too would still struggle if I had to talk about politics etc., but ask me about fabric, magic, music, art, and I'm all over it. I moved to Montenegro last year and now I'm studying the local language (a dialect of Serbian) and it's so hard. My brain resists, wishing I was in Japan where we have already grocked this second language business. I'll get there though!. 頑張ろう！

Good video. I lived in Germany in the early 1980’s for 3 years in a totally German environment. Learning German was really not an option…not if I wanted to converse and remain sane. 😀 After a very short time, I found that German is a much more related language to English than I would’ve ever thought. Once I got passed the stereo types…it became more and more fun as I learned. Like you, I did find that speaking, reading and writing went hand in hand. Some people just want to talk and I found that really handicaps the learning process. Forty years later, I still practice it and being on Facebook helps to retain what I’ve learned. I also am not fluent, but I could live there again without speaking any english. Learning different languages is fun but my hat is off to you for learning such a tough language to learn. You are far more intelligent than I in that department. Wishing you all a happy weekend. 🙂

Thanks for sharing! My mother was born Czech in 1941, given up to German foster parents, when her mother fled to Britain as WWII ramped up. We first visited Germany in 1975. I was fascinated by the culture. In 1976, thanks to a genealogist friend, she was reunited with her birth mother, who then lived in Nottingham (Selston), and sounded the part fully. (My letters would come, addressed "Master Eric Adamson" I felt so important! 🥰) I can imagine that lingering animosity lends little charm to the notion of learning German, but of course, my situation was special. It is a highly practical language that lends well to engineering and technical pursuits, moreso perhaps, than the romance languages. I later observed that German is very evident in Old English, i.e.: "Du hast" -> "thou hast" Anyway, thanks again, for sharing!

@ruthaisling

Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@EricAdamsonMI

12 күн бұрын

Adding that the Germans are not a hateful, warlike lot. Parents just wanted to see their children, laugh, play, learn, and one day give them grandchildren. Naziism (which just means nationalism) was a construct of the twisted minds behind the German government, often embraced by it's people, only with self-preservation in mind.

ルースさん　こんにちわ　約５年位でこんなに日本語を話せられる様で凄いですね　詳しい事はわかりませんが　本当に凄いです👩👏　先生優しくて素敵な方ですね

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

いつも応援ありがとう。

Awesome, thanks for sharing!!

@ruthaisling

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Very impressive Ruth 🎉😊😊 Arrigato

Tanks for sharing your experience!!!! がんばりましょう！！！ また、日本に来てね！

Ruth you amaze me all the time well done just watched this video and I’m amazed 😅

ルースさんの話す日本語がとても好きです😊！

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

優しすぎる。ありがとう。

自国語オンリーな人と、日本語を話そうと努力してるのが伝わってくる人とは寄り添いたくなる気持ちに違いが生まれます。 自然に生じる感情なので仕方ありません。

日本を伝えてくれてありがとうございます❤

Take my hat off to you. I visited Japan 2019 and hope to return next year, not an easy language at all but Ive tried to learn the basics at least. Great to find this channel. I've always liked Scotland and the Scottish people yet Ive only been to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Great inspiration to see much more :)

@ruthaisling

8 ай бұрын

Hope you have a great time back in Japan!

An idea for a second channel or video, teaching us words and phrases to use when traveling in Japan! Love your channel! Can't wait to see where you'll be traveling next in your cute campervan!

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Awww, thank you so much, you always leave the nicest comments! Great idea, maybe once I've got into a rhythm with this channel, I could look at doing a second channel.

Hi, I started watching your videos because of the campervan and then came across this and learnt that you lived in Japan. I'm from England but I've lived in Japan now for almost 30 years. This year I started car camping and a few months ago bought a converted Japanese ambulance (which is probably similar to the high top postal van that you bought in size) . it's the best thing and I'm going away exploring pretty much any time I can, I look forward to watching the rest of your videos.

@ruthaisling

6 ай бұрын

Hey, that is so awesome you are living in Japan! Where in Japan are you based? I spent 2-3 years travelling around Japan by campervan, it's so amazing. Made videos about it over on the Bappa Shota channel (you can see them if you scroll back to older videos). Where have you been in your van so far? I love Hokkaido in the summer for van travel!

@marianaito1

6 ай бұрын

I'm in Mito Ibaraki. I only got the campervan a few months ago, I've been in Tochigi so far, I usually go away every other weekend for three or four days. My furthest trip was up to Aomori to see the autumn leaves in October. There's a ferry near me from Oarai that goes up to Hokkaido so I'm hoping to do that next summer. I love the fact that it's so easy to stop at a Hotspring here cheaply in the evenings. looking forward to trying to find your other videos.

Cool !! 👍

I've been waiting ♪

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

I always ask myself how did you learn japanese. Now i know hard work and consistency. Good job for the video

I found you via your Scotland trips in a van, and it was a wee bit of surprise to know that you are a Japanese learner. I have been a Japanese teacher at UK schools. I plan to move to Fife as I like Scotland so much. I am glad that you are interested in Japan and Japanese. I hope you keep on making progress.

@ruthaisling

9 ай бұрын

Oh wow I didn’t even know you could learn Japanese in UK schools! That’s really nice to hear, is that a recent change?Japan is such a huge part of my life, I was back there a few weeks ago and it was amazing. No videos from Japan this time haha!

@tadavfr750

9 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling I started teaching at a state school in England in 2002. A couple of years ago I became qualified to teach in Scotland as well so hopefully I teach at a Scottish school in near future. Scottish government is introducing Japanese and Chinese to primary/secondary schools. Due to the recent AI development the future is uncertain, though.

A friend of mine learnt Dutch by watching Sesame Street. He'd come back from his nightshift job in Amsterdam, switch on the TV and speak and count along as he was having his breakfast.

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Wow, that's a fantastic way to learn. I hear that many kids learn from watching TV too!

Well done Ruth, im learning portuguese and enjoying learning. Hope one day im as fluent as you having conversation. 😊

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

That's amazing Sheila! Why did you choose to learn Portuguese?

@sheilajoseph9953

11 ай бұрын

I've recently retired and looking into moving to portugal. 😁

Hi Ruth, I'm glad I was able to learn a little bit about Ruth's relationship with Japan. Japanese is said to be difficult, but Ms. Ruth's Japanese is so cute that I felt attached to her. Also, please come visit Japan. From Toyama Prefecture. がんばりましょう🙌

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

I think Japanese is so different to English! I hope you are enjoying summer in beautiful Toyama Prefecture, I have good memories from there!

ルースさん日本語上手だなぁと思いながらBappa Shota チャンネルで見ていました🙂 久しぶりにルースさんの日本語聞きたいものですなぁ👋🤣🗾 (最後一言だけ聞けたけど💡)

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

優しいコメントをありがとう。私にはまだ長い道のりがある！

Ruth san、お久しぶりです。　I enjoyed watching your KZread video while you were in Japan. おげんきそうでなによりです。

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Discussing Scottish Independence is difficult in any language :-D Great vlog - as someone who is terrible at languages (I struggle to understand some English accents) I'm in awe of your bilingual skills! (note about another comment - I used to call Tennants Super 'soup' as it tasted thicker (more viscose) than English lager (it's also a lot stronger!) P. S. if you like real ale, my favourite is Innes & Gunn's Rum finished beer (also called blood red sky and Caribbean Rum Cask) - it's the best Scottish beer by far!

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Haha yes it is a difficult topic! I'll give that Innes and Gunn beer a try if I see it, thanks for the recommendation Tom!

ルースさん、私は20年くらい教会の英会話クラスに参加して、勉強しました。 日本語の先生はほとんどが日本人ですが、英会話の場合、世界中に先生がいます。 私の英会話の先生はアメリカ本土、ハワイ、アイルランド、南アフリカ、カナダ、インド、アフリカなど、20人くらいの先生と話せたこと、また、仕事では台湾、マレーシア、韓国などの人と英語で話せたことも、大変、良い経験になりました。

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

素晴らしい経験だったようだね。よく何年も勉強したね！いろんな国の先生がいてよかったよ。

Impressive skills

@ruthaisling

Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Hi Ruth, this video may have been a little different from the others, but it was very interesting. Language is a strange thing, many people from the UK might lean towards talking louder to the citizens of the foreign countries they visit. When I went to visit online friends Canada I was surprised at the amount of people who couldn't understand my Scottish accent, especially as there are a lot of Scots who moved there.

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

It does seem that people struggle to understand Scottish accents. When I first moved overseas in 2011, people really struggled to understand me...! I slowed down and changed my choice of words, now I seem to speak like that all time haha!

ルースさん！元気でよかった

ルースの！ ほんまに~聞きたいわ😉👍️✨🎶

Hey Ruth, it's a different, but interesting video.

I think italki may be exactly what I need. I've been trying to learn Korean on my own and I don't feel it's been very successful. Duolingo has no emphasis on speaking, and like you, I want to be able to have a conversation in the language. I've learned a little bit of Hangul and I've picked up a tiny bit of grammar from Duolingo, but nothing's really systematic to me and I'm frustrated. I'll be checking out italki. Thanks, Ruth.

@ruthaisling

3 ай бұрын

Yeah I’ve really enjoyed Italki!

That was really fascinating and extremely interesting! I have only learnt French but surely it must have been, shall we say tricky to learn a completely new way of writing? I think that would be frankly?

@ruthaisling

3 ай бұрын

Yeah the writing is definitely the hardest part!

加油！

GOOD❤

Ruthさんの日本語は、『可愛い』です。 忘れないうちに、また日本に来てくださいね💘

成る程私も頑張りたいと思います。孫フランス日本のハーフなので😅 何時も有り難う🎉

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

フランス語の勉強を頑張ってください！

Beautiful and talented then 😍

バッパーショータからきました。とてもたのしくみていました。 ルースさんはにほんごを、とてもよくはなせていたし、いいたいこともちゃんとわかりました。 にほんごは、せかいのなかでも、むずかしいといわれているのにすごいとおもいます。 なによりルースさんはえがおがすてきですね。びじんでほがらかでみていていやされました。 またショータチャンネルでもみられるのをたのしみにしています。

@dorihcr32

6 ай бұрын

そのまま読めるかとおもって平仮名で書きましたが 翻訳あるから漢字も大丈夫でしたね(笑) 動画楽しみにしてます。頑張ってくださいね(^^)/

@ruthaisling

6 ай бұрын

うれしいコメントをありがとう。日本語を話すのは得意ではありませんが、話すのは楽しいですし、理解していただけてとても嬉しいです！

The goal of learning language is depend on the person This time I tried to watch your video 0.75 speed, because your speedy English is hard to understand for me Eventually it was quite easier than normal speed 😊 But me personally I don’t want you to forget Japanese language and I want to hear your Japanese again someday 😊

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Yes, everyone has different goals! I'm glad you could understand on 0.75 speed! Good luck with your English studies!

hi ruth,wow.....japanese is a very difficult language.....and you learnt it 'DIY-style....you surely are talented"'''''' btw i am binge watching your past vids ....ever since you tube popped up a suggested vid by you....and i hit the subscribe button....and notification bell.....canal boat, stay,ww1 and more.thank you n all the best

@ruthaisling

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy them all. Yes, Japanese is difficult but rewarding to learn!

@drdr73

3 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling sure,enjoyed your vids

これだけの勉強で日本で運転免許(8t)を取得したのは素晴らしいです。 日本語で書かれた問題にとても苦戦されたようですが何度かチャレンジして合格したのを見た時は感動しました。

ルースさん、頼みますよ！　しょーたのまね😅

言語(会話)は面白いですよね☀. 懐かしの「🍡ﾀﾞﾝｺﾞさーん」よかったです😊.

Wow that’s interesting, and did you say you’ve been to the Philippines? I’m a Filipino now living and working here in the UK.

Great video! Japanese people pronounce «radio» the same way as I do. I’m Norwegian. 👍🏻

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Good to know!

ルースさんの日本語が上手な理由が分かりました。 私はルースさんのチャンネルを見て英語を勉強しています。

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

私のビデオが英語の勉強に役立っているようで嬉しいです。

Its not related to Japan at all but I've noticed a house beside me in S. Edinburgh that is called 'Mo Aisling'. For obvious reasons I felt obliged to mention this in case there is some significance...😄

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

That's interesting, I wonder what Mo means... Aisling means "dream" in Irish

In Japan, there is a key phrase "genba hyappen (100 times on site)," which originally means "to find out the facts, you have to check the site 100 times. It is a metaphor. Ruth's experience in Japan was a great one. experience in Japan was a great one.

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

That is really nice to know, thank you for sharing it with me. I will try and use it in my conversations.

@ryudokuroma8184

11 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling It's an industry term used by police and reporters, though.

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

@ryudokuroma8184 Ok, good to know!

今度、日本語でお話してるいる動画を見てみたいです。よろしくお願いします。

早く日本に、帰って来てください❗😁 楽しみにしてます。

Bappa Shotaのビデオで英語を学習しようと思った。参考にしているビデオはLearn　English　with Gill・engVidです 口元を見ながら発音していますが難しいです。聞き取る事は出来ます。

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

英語の勉強を頑張ってください。

いつも たのしく はいけん してます ひさしぶりの日本語きけました また どうがのなかで日本語でしやべってくださいね。

しかも大阪弁

ルース、しょーたは過去の人ですか⁉️

元気ですか！

ルースさんの日本語の喋り方好きですよ他の海外の方達も日本人みたいに喋るより片言の方がいいと思います、ルースさん頑張れ〜😊

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

おそらく他の外国人の方が僕より上だと思う。 でも、間違いを怖がるより、何か話した方がいいと思う。

いや、めちゃめちゃ流暢ですよ

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

将来的にはね。勉強し続けないとね(笑)。

ルースさんの和歌山弁がなつかしい。「メッチャ、アホ」「なーんや、それっ」日本にまた来てね！。待っています。

私は日本人ですが英語を話したい、聞き取れるようになりたいとおもっています がんばろう〜

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

英語の勉強、頑張ってね。

ルースさんの元気な姿が見れて良かったです(*^^*)

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

お団子さんの周りでは、私の顔はいつも元気です(笑)。

@sato1962

11 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling 元気なことが一番です😄 これからも北海道から応援してます✌️

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

@@sato1962 ありがとう。北海道の夏は最高です。うらやましいです。

@sato1962

11 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling また！いらして下さいね♪

I'm a native English speaker. I speak reasonable Japanese, learned about 30 years ago. I have lived in Asia for 35 years and also speak Cantonese, some Tagalog and a smattering of Thai. Apart from Tagalog, Japanese is the easiest Asian language to learn, simply because its sounds are easier to master for Europeans. It's also easier to learn Hiragana and Katakana, simply because each character is basically a syllable and you can break down words by syllables and figure the spelling. A lot of expats are really lazy about learning the language of the country they live in, expecting the locals to speak to them in English. That's an attitude I don't really understand! BTW, looks like your tomato plants are thriving! 😂

@ruthaisling

10 ай бұрын

Wow, you are very talented having learnt all those languages! Perhaps in the bigger cities in Japan it's easier to get into that expat bubble and not have any need to learn Japanese!

@QuicknStraight

10 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling I was useless at languages at school. Immersion was the key for me: being able to use it in every day life.

It would be good if bappa shota did the trips with you in your country....now that you are alone the videos of bappa and ruth seem to be empty

ルースさんの　にほんご　は　とても　じょうずです。　また　にほんに　きてください。

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

ひらがなで書いてくれてありがとう、読みやすいから(笑)。また日本に来ます！

ルースさんは英語は早口ですね！

Hi Ruth, Did I pass you on the Leadhills road on Saturday? My name is Jim, I hope if it was yourself, you had a nice day it's a beautiful place.

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Hello Jim! Yes you would have, I was there for 2 days... maybe you can guess what a future video will be about 😅 Do you live in the area?

@str0w4er

11 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling Hi Ruth, I live just outside a wee town, Maybole in South Ayrshire. I have a DIY Campervan myself although I was driving a Black Freelander on Saturday. For your future travels could I recommend Glen Etieve at Glencoe, it's a dead end road but it is stunning. We camped at the very end one night and with the exception of the dreaded Midges it was great. I look forward to your next episode.. You take care now🙂

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

@@str0w4er I know Maybole! I spent 2 summers living in Girvan and working at that famous hotel nearby haha. Thanks for the recommendation for the place at Gelncoe, I'd love to get up there in the next few weeks!

Love to visit Japan - sorry for daft Q' - are they big bugs like spiders in Japan and are there plenty of food places that do English food - haven't tried Japanese food.

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Not a daft question! There are big spiders in Japan but I don't think they are dangerous. The most dangerous animals are bears and snakes. Bears kill a few people every year. There are some very poisonous snakes called Habu in Okinawa!

@dafyddthomas7299

11 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling Thanks.

ルースさんの　にほんごは　とても　きゅーとに　きこえますよ。

日本には俳句と言う5.7.5の短いくて美しい詩があります テレビ番組のプレバトでも紹介していますが 季語や語順など日本語の勉強にいかがでしょうか。

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

教えてくれてありがとう。

You are wikkid smart.

ルースさん何時ごろ日本に帰ってきてくれますか？ 「お帰りなさい」と早く言ってみたいです。

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

まだわからないが、いつか日本に戻るつもりだ。

Congrats on 20,000 subscribers, your next goal is 30,000 subscribers, and toast your efforts to speak Japanese wish a glass of Scottish Tennents lagar beer, go for it Ruth-san. チャンネル登録者20,000人おめでとう、次の目標はチャンネル登録者30,000人、そして日本語を喋るための努力にスコットランドのテネンツラガービールで乾杯、頑張れルースさん。

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

小川さん、こんにちは。いつも応援ありがとうございます。テナントラガーをご存知とは驚きです！近々ビデオでテナントラガーについて詳しく紹介しますのでお楽しみに。何杯かテナントを飲んだら、日本語がペラペラになるかもしれません(笑)。

@user-nu5xs8cj5t

11 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling スコットランドの町の通りにはTの看板のバーがたくさん有りますね、スコットランドのエディンバラとグラスゴーもテネンツラガービールが人気でしょう、喉ごし爽やか、やや甘さが癖になりますよHahaha

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

@@user-nu5xs8cj5t 次にスコットランドに来るときは、テナンツを1パイント飲む必要がある。ハギスも食べてみてください。大阪のアイリッシュパブやブリティッシュ・パブで食べられるかもしれませんよ。

@user-nu5xs8cj5t

11 ай бұрын

@@ruthaisling ハギスですか、羊の詰め合わせでしょう、美味しいですね、カフェでの朝食にも出てきますね、ラガービール🍺と良く合います、初めはなんだこれとおもいますが食べたらやみつきになる味でしたね👍

わたしは英語を勉強中📖　英語がむずかしいです😂💦

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

難しいよ。頑張ってください。

mata nihon ni ki te ne 💯

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

また日本に来るよ。

Can you speak Gaidhlig ?

@ruthaisling

9 ай бұрын

No! In the south of Scotland people don’t really speak Gaelic

now i suggest you to learn another language and writing character which is thai

Don't mention the I subject😂 What made you return to Scotland after staying in Japan for several years

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Ah yes, a very difficult part of Japanese! I was in Japan for 3 years during covid, it was hard not seeing family and friends so I want to spend this year in Scotland with family & friends and also see my country!

Oh my got l hate that wake up ring tone...😮

@ruthaisling

4 ай бұрын

Me too haha!

Why did you decide to come back, end of relationship?

Nobody else want to know about the sheep?

@ruthaisling

7 ай бұрын

😂

Looks like such a hard language to learn, I think German was easier

@ruthaisling

11 ай бұрын

Probably, at least the characters for reading and writing are mostly the same

The 4th way: hire a cute Scottish translator name, "Ruth" ;)

彼氏が日本人だから上手くなるの当然