Chapter 1: A Lifelong Passion for Languages

For the past 15 years, I’ve immersed myself in the world of languages. While some aspects came easily, many were quite challenging. Regardless of my busy schedule or moments of burnout, I always found my way back to studying languages. This persistent dedication is what truly counts in the journey of language acquisition.

What matters isn’t the effectiveness of a language app, the clarity of a textbook, or the entertainment value of a game or a TV series. The methods and tools used are secondary. The question isn’t even about the motivation behind learning a language. Sure, having excellent resources and a compelling reason can significantly help you stay committed, but they aren’t the core of what truly matters.

Let me share two brief narratives about my experiences with two languages. One language I encountered 15 years ago, in 2008, while the other I discovered just a month ago.

A Korean Adventure

My journey with Korean began unexpectedly during a vacation in southern France. While volunteering, I met two Korean girls. At that point, I had no knowledge of the country, its language, or its culture; I was even unaware that Korea was divided into two nations.

However, I quickly became enamored with the sound of Korean. They taught me a few fundamental phrases, and after the workcamp concluded, I received a piece of cardboard with a message written in Korean, titled "Secret word Korean." I spent the next couple of hours analyzing the Hangeul script, determined to decode at least one word. Eventually, I figured out the last word: "Goodbye" (굳바이).

Since that moment, I have traveled to Korea five times, formed numerous friendships, binged countless TV shows, purchased and studied many textbooks (some of which remain unopened), and listened to thousands of hours of Korean audio. Each interaction with the language has been more enlightening than the last.

Every word I learn adds depth to the beautiful tapestry of Korean in my mind. Yet, it would be dishonest to say I’ve never faced doubts or moments of exhaustion. There have been numerous times of frustration, particularly when I revisited words I thought I had already mastered. I’ve even felt resentment toward the language during job searches in Korea, when my proficiency didn’t seem to yield results.

Korean has been a steadfast companion in my life for 15 years. Like any meaningful relationship, it has had its ups and downs, but we’ve navigated through it all together. Imagining life without Korean is simply inconceivable.

An Introduction to Manmino

On the opposite end, I recently stumbled upon a constructed language (conlang) known as Manmino. For those unfamiliar, conlangs are languages intentionally created for specific purposes. Notable examples include Na'Vi from the Avatar films, Sindarin from The Lord of the Rings, Dothraki from Game of Thrones, and Klingon from Star Trek.

Within the realm of conlangs lies a subset known as auxiliary languages (auxlangs), designed for real-world use. Esperanto is the most widely spoken auxlang, but others like Toki Pona, Interlingua, and Volapük also exist.

Having studied Japanese, Korean, and some Mandarin, I was curious if an "Asian version" of Interlingua or Esperanto existed. To my delight, it does, and it’s called Manmino.

As I delved into it, I was captivated. I recognized "Hwayeng!" as a Chinese-derived term, and I smiled upon seeing sentence-ending particles like "ka" for questions, reminiscent of Japanese and Korean structures, and "ya" for exclamations.

I dove headfirst into the community. Despite not having engaged with Discord in over six months, I eagerly joined the server, asking questions about Manmino and crafting sentences alongside the language’s creator and other enthusiasts. It felt like being a child on Christmas morning, receiving an unexpected gift—a brand new language!

I recognized this exhilarating feeling from my past and understood its importance.

The Playfulness of Language Learning

I firmly believe there’s no such thing as a poor language learner. The only distinction is between those who persevere and those who give up.

If you’re out of school, there’s no obligation to force yourself to learn a language; so why would you? The key to enjoying this journey isn’t about having excellent resources, motivation, or teachers. It’s about having that spark of wonder in your eyes.

Just as a child can transform a simple stick into a magic wand, a sword, or a treasure-finding tool, you should view your target language as a game full of potential. Embrace it, explore it, and revel in the myriad possibilities it offers.

Your target language is extraordinary, a pure expression of beauty—even in its quirks that may make it challenging to master.

I’m just as enthusiastic about Manmino now as I was when I first encountered Korean. Cultivate that excitement, and you’ll find it impossible to give up.

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