Can Japanese People Speak English?

 

The Japanese call themselves the worst English speakers in the world. Why do they think so?

I think this is due to their actual experience.

Japan is recognized as a nation with high educational standards. Most students study English for at least 10 years from the time they enter elementary school until they graduate from college. Yet, very few Japanese are able to go out into the world and communicate with Americans in English.

It is really strange that they cannot easily master the English language.

Most Japanese, who tend to be highly intelligent, can only say hello, thank you and  goodbye. and other basic idioms. This is strange.

Think about it. Non-English speaking foreigners, once they become a little more comfortable with the English environment, are able to have a basic conversation. And yet, even as adults, Japanese feel an intense sense of inferiority about their lack of English language skills. It also affects their work.

　

In our defense, the Japanese who studied English up to university have a good knowledge of grammar. Many young people have no problem with reading newspapers and books. But when it comes to conversation, the average college student has difficulty understanding American television programs.

In particular, the listening skills of the average Japanese are dismal. They are unable to answer questions that an American toddler can understand. If I ask, "Please draw your favorite shape with a pen,”  you might think anyone would understand. But for Japanese people, such a simple question is difficult to comprehend.

It is believed that the main reason for this is due to pronunciation. The English language contains sounds that the Japanese language does not. The Japanese language is made up of 50 sounds, while English uses combinations of letters to make a variety of different sounds. As a result, the Japanese who speak English have a unique accent. This is because they are forced to speak a pronunciation that does not exist in Japanese. They use their mouth and tongue differently. For example, it is difficult for Japanese people to distinguish between the words “lock” and “rock,” because the Japanese language does not use distinct L or R sounds.

　

Another reason for this difficulty is that the Japanese language has unique grammar. According to linguists, the Japanese language has its own language system that does not fit into any other language system in the world. French, Latin and German share the same linguistic ancestry. Asian languages such as Chinese and Indian have much in common with English in terms of linguistic logic. Japanese is the only language that is isolated. This may have something to do with the fact that Japan is a very old island nation with a very isolated culture.

It is true that it may be difficult to teach Japanese to foreigners through grammar. But that's not the only problem, it seems. There are people who come from other countries and live in Japan who can master the Japanese language very fluently. Sumo wrestlers from Europe, Mongolia and Hawaii speak very natural Japanese.

Some scholars point out that the reason for the inability of the studious Japanese to speak English is a psychological barrier. Japanese people are very concerned about what people think of them. If I fail, I am embarrassed. I might speak ridiculous English. I will be ridiculed. They will look down on me. They are anxious about what others think of them. The reason for this is definitely different from other ethnic groups.

At any rate, the Japanese have a strong sense of inferiority and admiration for English.

There are countless English language schools in Japan, and bookstores are overflowing with English reference books. Recently, YouTubers have been making a splash with their English videos for Japanese people. There is a lot of debate about what teaching methods are most effective. “You should learn a lot of words first.” “No, prioritize grammar study.” “No, start with listening.” “No, conversation is the most important thing.” Experts' opinions vary, and the Japanese are increasingly confused.

How would you teach English? If you go to Japan and choose a job, an English teacher might be the best choice. The Japanese love Americans who teach English. Although not an exact statistic, the easiest job you can do in Japan may be an English teacher. At any rate, I hope you now understand the struggles of Japanese people trying to learn English.