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| Lecture by
Mr.Takao Suzuki, June 2005 |
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Why are the Japanese Bad at English
On Monday, June 13, Keio University Professor Emeritus Takao Suzuki gave a
lecture to a capa-
city audience of 114, following the ESUJ's AGM.
The first reason the Japanese are bad at English is lack of necessity. Unlike Asian and
African countries that have been unable to get by without using English, Japan has never
had any problem carrying on without a knowledge of the language. But, in today's world, to
say that English is unnecessary is absurd, as it the only language to have become a
"common language" among nations. This doesn't mean it is necessary for all
Japanese to speak English. However, the English of people with that attitude is "Bad
English." Especially university English literature professors are 'bad'. Politicians
must be able to speak better English. Members of the House of Counselors must be chosen
not because they are celebrities or 'beauties' but because they can make a case in
English.
This world is still one in which Caucasians predominate. Onto this scene, the Japanese
appeared, the only people with a different linguistic culture. Deceased former Prime
Minister Obuchi created a discussion group to address problems of the 21st century and
announced the possibility that English would become Japan's second official language.
Reporting on only that by the media caused a huge ruckus. What Obuchi really meant was
that without military might and with a limit to Japan's financial and economic power, it
would be necessary to use the power of words to stand up to the world, in other words, to
gather information and dispatch it. For example, Israel's use of the power of words is
wonderful, reporting to the whole world anti-Jewish movements and exerting pressure.
For Japan to remain silent in the face of criticism from abroad, hoping eventually the
matter will go away is inexcusable. It isn't recognized how important it is to be able to
disseminate information in English. The Japanese leaned various things through English
from the Europeans in the Meiji Era and from the Americans after the war. English is no
longer necessary in that sense. In future, however, English will be necessary to convey to
the rest of the world Japan's positions and thoughts. With English as the world's common
language, English has become no longer the sole possession of the English and the
Americans but now belongs to the world. It has spawned many various imitations and
continues to do so. Japan should take this to heart and enthusiastically use Japanese
English. Up to now English in Japan has been halting, like a car driven around a learner's
course timidly and jerkily. Concluding his talk by urging that the Japanese now get their
licenses, hit the road and drive in their own steadily improving style of English, Prof.
Suzuki completely charmed everyone. |
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