So true

That's because it's not a difference between comprehension vs communication, but comprehending vs producing!

When you read, you're comprehending (input) information that others have produced (output). Other people are irrelevant to the equation so there is no middle ground ^^

Reading is input.

Input = information goes IN
Output = information goes OUT

– Kanji knowledge went from "0" to ~500? (but my CN knowledge substitutes for it as well)

– Brushed up on grammar recently

– Averaging 15-30 new words per day from watching JP streamers (I understand about 80% of the streams, but there are always new terms popping up)

There's a lot

– Went from N5 -> Halfway through N2
– Able to read manga in Japanese
– Able to read Visual Novels in Japanese w/ minimal help
– Got over my fear of mistakes & talking to people in VRChat + being able to converse more naturally with JP streamers
– Gotten used to typing on JP keyboard

I just wanna become a renowned translator so I can get by doing what I love and save up enough money to go see the Milky Way

That's literally my life goal rn

Wow. Uhh. That checks out

I always go for the original when I can help it 👍