By Pirijan Keth · May 29, 2005
Well, they’re foreign to me at least—but may not be to you reading this in Japan or wherever. You see, I live in Toronto, Canada, and—with a few exceptions—have lived here all my life. And when you live in one place for so long, I think, you start to get bored with the minutiae of daily life even though what seems simple and plain to you would be intriguing for someone in a far-away country.
As a ‘freelancer’ to Dekita (this is my first time writing here), I’ve been asked by Rudolf to talk about my experiences with the weblogs of non-native English speakers like Leylop’s and the many others like hers.
I’ve travelled to quite a few countries and even spent a whole month in China last summer (if only I could afford to do it again!), I’ve learned that, whether good or bad, there really is no place like home. So why, you may ask, have I become an avid reader of weblogs written by people very much like you and me in places far from the world I’ve grown so accustomed to?
Well, part of it are those daily minutiae. Most of us tend to ignore them, but the truth is that there are a lot of unique aspects and differences to our societies and lives that are just waiting to be explored. Things like what foods you enjoy eating and the kind of activities you prefer are a small part of that appeal.
More than that, things like photos and travel diaries help us to better identify, understand and respect our differences.
The other part of it boils down to similarities. Good writing (to me at least) usually has that sharp edge of personality to it. On personal weblogs, people share their feelings and deepest thoughts and shine light on what makes them unique individuals. We—both the readers and the authors—learn that there’s alot to be said for the ‘shared human experience’ that is life.
To use Leylop as an example again, she writes passionately about her love for traveling and all the places it has brought her. She writes about the air of her native town (Hangzhou, China), and of the boredom she experiences at home and (earlier) at school. She does this all without the gift of exceptional proficiency in English, yet her writing isn’t any less enjoyable for it.
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Aaron
wrote on May 30, 2005:
Being able to read and respond to the uncensored thoughts of people from different socities and cultures on a daily basis is what makes reading and writing on weblogs such a rich experience for me. It helps me understand myself and others better.
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Andrea I.
wrote on May 30, 2005:
You must enjoy Canada for everything it can offer you …like the snow for example!!!
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