Why we are bad at English #3

I heard that Japanese culture is in fashion in Western countries in recent years. Actually, some of my American friends said KANJI is 'cool'. It is the same with Japan. Many of Japanese think English or other Western languages as cool. I think it's a very strange thing because the western culture went into Japan for 100 years or more, And all the Western-originated things except languages ...foods, clothes, arts or even ethics... are very popular for us and already have been part of our life style. Why we cannot be friendly particularly about the foreign languages?

3. Having a special symbolism for English

Though we do not like studying English, We like using English. It is not speaking, writing or reading. We just like using English conveniently as a kind of sign rather than as language. We usually name the various things in English, such as brands, companies, shops, buildings, or title of songs. In that case, the meanings of the words are not so important. We find out meanings in naming in English itself. They are smartness, are cleanliness, or are high-class feelings. Because if we have no idea what the words mean, they never remind us of our restless, poor or insipid life. (I know there are more complicated reasons why we think so, but I'll write about it at the next opportunity) Anyway, In this way, We continue using wrong English in the public scene. It must give a bad influence to the children who are studying or will study English.

Speaking of the name of things, there is one very strange thing. Japanese people think themselves as a member of the group of Western countries. I hear you laughing, But that is actually right. For a proof, We often use the words 'Asian taste' that indicate the atmosphere of Southeast Asia, China or Korea. We regard Japan as not being contained in Asia! The thought is appearing notably in the names of things. When we give the name of goods or shops in Japanese, It specifies that they clearly have the atmosphere of traditional Japan. On the contrary, If we do not use foreign words for the names of the modern things, We feel sense of incongruity. Many of us have responded to such an unnatural situation very automatically.

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This is my thought about why our English skills are not improved. There are not so many foreigners in Japan yet. The opportunities to speak, read and write English for Japanese people may not increase for the time being. But, there is the Internet now. I think that it's good to let students exchange e-mails with children living overseas. Then they will want to know about English or other foreign languages more. Of course, Not all the students need to master English, But it will give a possibility for the future to some of them. Isn't a school such a place?