Japan as a nation has an interesting and complex relationship with the English language. There has been an on-again, off-again approach to integrating English into Japanese society from as far back as 1600. The real push started for the late 1800s, following the Convention of Kanagawa and the start of the Meiji Restoration.
In big cities, it is common to see English translations underneath key signs in train stations or the airports. You’ll even see English used as part of the signage in department stores to try and lure in shoppers with the illusion that it’s a premium or international offering. However, outside of some neighborhoods catering to tourists, it is more common to see 95%+ Japanese language.
While Japanese students study English for 6 years in school, English is emphasized as a written grammatical exercise only, and not used as a verbal communication tool. There are some Japanese citizens who have taken their proficiency to the next level, and because of their careers or education have been fortunate to study and practice English conversation.
Even though I work for a multi-national company in Tokyo, nearly 80% of my day is in Japanese (with the help of an interpreter). I had been given a heads up about this before coming to Japan, and have been taking Japanese lessons for the past year with the hope of becoming at least functional in society, and relying less on my colleagues to speak English with me. The two languages could not be more diametrically opposed, which has made for an interesting learning process.
Today was a major milestone in my journey, thanks to my excellent and very patient Sensei!
I have been using a popular textbook aptly named “Japanese for Busy People“, and lesson one was like dipping a toe into a deep chasm filled with inky black water. You can see a photo of that page below:
After this weekend’s lesson, I have finished thirty rounds of progressive education, and even made it through this seemingly daunting two pages of Hiragana:
I know I am only part of the way there. Next step: Kanji.
Very interesting!! Thanks for sharing this. I showed it to Isaac. I don’t have any idea what you were supposed to learn from Lesson 1 based on that photo pic…???? murky chasm indeed.
Stacey
Thanks for the comment! I hope Isaac enjoyed seeing one of the 3 Japanese alphabets (Hiragana; Katakana and Kanji are the other two). Yes, Lesson 1 was a quick immersion into the language, which is really the only way to do it. The chasm still remains murky.
It looks fun, I meant actual studying Japanese in Japan. Although, so far everything is hiragana, but I guess soon you will get to learn Kanji as well, how exciting XD.