Translation

My Favourite Song

I have always loved music since I was a child. Regardless of my mood, listening to songs that I enjoy instantly calms my mind and helps me think more clearly. My grandmother, who was a teacher of Carnatic Music, always encouraged me to sing and learn new things. However, as I grew older, I couldn’t continue due to my busy schedule with school and college. There are times when I deeply regret not sticking to it, but I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned music from her, even if I didn’t fully appreciate it at the time. My dad is also incredibly passionate about speakers and setting up home theatres. I am truly thankful for being born into a family where everyone shares this passion for music.

During lockdown, around the same time that I started studying Japanese, I also bought a ukulele. When I was younger, I learned to play the violin for a while, but couldn’t keep up and eventually ended up quitting. Sometimes I think that if I had continued, I would’ve been nothing short of a child prodigy by now (I know it’s never too late to start again, but yeah). Anyway, I chose the ukulele because, according to the internet, it’s the “easiest instrument to learn”. After two years of playing it on and off, I am still far from good, but it has become more of a relaxing activity rather than something I want to master.

However, when I came across a Japanese song I liked, I desperately wanted to learn how to play it. It was even more exciting because I was finally immersing myself in the language! The song is called ”Always With Me” from Ghibli’s greatest hits, Spirited Away. It’s quite famous, so many of you might know it. And there I was, looking up the chords online, and reached a point where I could now comfortably play it.

I was fairly new to the language at the time, so I didn’t understand much, let alone the meaning of the lyrics. However, after repeatedly playing it for a few months, I gradually started to appreciate the song. The last three lines resonate with me, and I feel grateful for learning the language.

“In the depths of the sea, I will search no more For what shines brightly is always here Because I have found it within myself”

Of course, the translation is literal and does not sound as pretty as it does in Japanese, but it’s still a beautiful message, isn’t it?

The challenge of listening to songs in your target language is that it takes a lot more effort than none to grasp the full meaning. Personally, I like to make it more challenging for myself by not looking up English translations, or rather, I prefer not to. I enjoy the idea of being able to comprehend and interpret a song based on my own experiences. In this language journey, these lines have become particularly significant to me.

As humans, we often forget our worth and efforts, and seek meaning or happiness externally, in the outside world. However, this song teaches us that everything we view as ‘charming’ or ‘attractive’ is already within our hearts, and there’s no need to look elsewhere. I think it’s a great perspective. It may sound simple and cliché, but I believe that realizing and practicing it is the most challenging part of this internal journey.

Many of us tend to become disappointed in ourselves when we haven’t accomplished what we consider to be “great” things, or when our motivation wanes. We may also compare ourselves to others and become discouraged. However, it’s important to remember that your life is your own, and nobody should tell you otherwise. The path you have chosen is unique to you. So, let this song serve as a gentle reminder to always search within yourself. Let’s strive to do our best together, knowing that you are not alone!