季刊誌kotoba コトバの2019年冬号「孤独のレッスン」の序文がとても良かった.
(Translation)
When I look up ‘孤独 kodoku’ in the Japanese-English dictionary, the words solitude / isolate / loneliness are lining up. When I asked Mr. Mark Petersen, author of “English mind” I heard that there are subtle differences in meaning.
“solitude” makes you feel calm and silence, kinds of positive word. “isolation” is in isolation from others, “loneliness” is a sad without friends and accompanying persons, both of which have negative implications. “isolation”, “loneliness” may be inherently scary things.
However, someone choose solitude by themselves and decide to live with that, we can feel a strength and a cleanliness from their behaviour. Sometimes it gives us minus a power and wisdom. Historical figures introduced in this issue show great hints about freedom it can only get by “solitude”.
When you finish reading this issue, the word “孤独 kodoku” should come closer, and releases a completely different sound-feeling to the chest.
Editorial department of kotoba