#29 The Japan-related Web: Words from the Greatest Japan-related project on the web.

I emailed Jim Breen, of online Japanese dictionary fame, and asked him if he had any advice for people wanting to start collaborative projects related to Japan. Here is a quote from him:

Don't think I have much real advice. I have basically run the project, and collaborators have come and gone over the years, but the common thread is me. In fact my one real attempt to get a proper collaborative project firing, in which online dictionary edits can be achieved, has been rather unsuccessful so far.

I guess I'm silly to have kept on going for 14 years (so far). There have been times I have felt like walking away from it all.

This quote may dissuade some, but to me it is inspiring!

Before you call me nuts hear me out. The dictionary project was obviously difficult and at times probably seemed like a lost cause. Anyone would feel like giving up. But then I look at the outcome and I see all of the countless students learning Japanese all around the world (and remember fellow students from my own classes) who have depended on Jim Breen's dictionary.

When I and the other students in my classes needed to translate text or look up a word that is where we turned. And looking back now I am so thankful that Jim did not walk away. He has my respect and no doubt the respect of Japanese language students worldwide. Thank you, Jim!