How is writing in English different from writing in your first language?
The sentence structures between English and Japanese are different; the order of words are almost the opposite (for example, I love you would be I you love and I don’t like you would be I you like don’t). Also, writing a thesis driven paper is very hard for me because when I write in Japanese, I usually write my interpretation/opinion at the end but when writing in English, I have to write down a clear thesis statement in the first paragraph and restate it at the end.
Keeping each sentence short and simple is not what I usually do in Japanese as well. Nevertheless, the biggest difference is that when I write in Japanese, I know without thinking how to structure papers, but when writing in English I have to think through all of them step by step.
What has been your experience with writing at Carleton?
Having interest in humanities/social science, I have had to take many writing rich courses or courses that require midterm/final papers rather than exams. Writing papers in English is definitely a stressful process but working with writing assistants through the Term Long Program has helped me a lot in improving the quality of my writing. Also, I feel a huge relief when the professors understand my anxiety and stress about writing in English.
What are some of the benefits of being a multilingual writer/thinker?
The greatest benefit of coming from outside of the United States is that I can provide new perspectives to discussions and question ideas that are conventional in America.
What strategies have professors used to make writing a positive experience for you?
I really appreciate when professors give me extensions. Also, I sometimes go talk to my professors that I do not have enough knowledge/opinions on topics that I am supposed to discuss on the paper (especially when I have to write on American social issues) and I am grateful that professors advised me to make comparisons with my country and provide my own ideas.
What kinds of challenges have you faced as a multilingual writer?
It always takes me much longer to write a paper in English than when I write the same paper in Japanese. Also, I sometimes just give up writing down ideas that I came up [with] in Japanese but did not know how to make it into words in English.