Why Breaking the Language Barriers Matters So Deeply to Me

The reason I'm so invested in breaking down language barriers stems from more than just the demands of my product management role in Tokyo, where I often found myself bridging the communication gap between Japanese sales teams and English-speaking engineers. It's a mission deeply rooted in what might be described as childhood trauma.

I was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, making Mandarin Chinese my first language. However, shortly after birth, I moved to Japan, where Japanese quickly became my default language. As an infant, I can't recall my feelings about this early language switch, but it likely laid the groundwork for the challenges I would face.

My real struggle with language barriers began when I attended elementary school in California. Without any knowledge of English, I found myself unable to communicate with anyone. Being the only Asian student amplified my isolation. I spent most classes asleep, understanding nothing, friendless and alone until my mother came to pick me up.

Returning to Japan, I found my personality had transformed. The individuality and freedom of thought I had absorbed in the U.S. clashed with Japanese cultural norms. This led to my being ostracized and bullied, not just by classmates but also by teachers. Lacking friends who shared my mixed-race background and Western mindset, and with both parents busy working, I was left utterly alone.

My journey continued in the UK for high school and university, requiring another adjustment — this time to English and to British culture, which differed significantly from what I had experienced in the U.S. This transition period was challenging, but I eventually found solace among international students who shared my feelings of cultural displacement and insecurity about belonging.

Through these experiences, I've come to realize the profound negativity of language barriers. They foster isolation, misunderstandings, and a lack of communication that can escalate into discrimination and racism that leads to total discouragement of what we do or even living. I've endured the pain and struggle associated with these barriers for nearly three decades.

So, why do I care so much about breaking the language barrier? The answer lies in the pain I've endured throughout my life, a relentless drive to ensure others don't have to face the same struggles I did.