English is the most familiar foreign language amongst Japanese because large numbers of foreigners living here learnt English as a second language in their own nation ,and as English is taught as part of the Japanese school system, many people can use the language well.
English is also taught as part of the French school system ,why don't we speak English then?
In Japan ,English is as important as Japanese .Wherever you go ,you see people studying English by reading books or playing games.There are many English schools not only for children but also for adults. It's really something!!And guess what you don't need a degree to teach English !!
But as a foreigner it can be really frustating !!! It seems like Japanese people see foreigners as "People who can only speak English" !!!!
When you ask someone a question in Japanese ,no matter how good your Japanese is ,they reply in English .I can understand if you are a tourist who can't speak Japanese but why do they reply in English even though they know you speak Japanese ???
And when I say ,"I am French ,I can't speak English!", they continue talking in English........
Weird ,isn't it?
Anyways, I am not giving up !!!!!!!
Don't worry Alex.
ReplyDeleteI had felt that feeling too when I was there. It's completely true.
In my mind, they like this idea : "Only Japanese people can speak a good Japanese"
They maybe have the feeling to be preserved when they are speaking Japanese in front of you, They maybe think you can't understand...??
...Whatever...
When you know Japanese language is complicated and full of different styles, and when you know Japanese people don't know more than 75% of they own language (for most of them)... keep cool and try to do your best ;-)
You are in the good way...
PS: For people who don't know me, I don't speak Japanese at all.