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Title
English as a lingua franca in linguistically-diversifying Japan
Presenter
Toshiyuki Takagaki
This presentation attempts to examine the use of English in linguistically-diversifying Japan. In 2005, the number of foreign residents in Japan exceeded 2 million, and foreign visitors to Japan exceeded 6.7 million. The foreign residents mainly consist of Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians, and Filipinos, and the foreign visitors mostly come from Korea, Taiwan, America, and China for sightseeing or business purposes. This increase of foreigners implies that Japanese people have more chances to interact with non-Japanese people. In this context, English plays an important role as a lingua franca when these foreigners cannot speak Japanese.
This presentation starts with how Japanese people are prepared to speak foreign language(s) in school. Then, supposing both interlocutors (i.e. Japanese and non-Japanese) can speak English at least to some extent, the presenter will explore the effective use of English from the perspective of speaking, listening, and communication strategies.
In terms of speaking, it is focused more on mutual intelligibility rather than “correct” English use, which is often based on standard American or British English. In other words, standard American and British English are not necessarily understood efficiently among non-native speakers of English. As for listening, the importance of becoming used to a variety of English is emphasized given the fact that the kind of English Japanese people are likely to hear is not always traditional native varieties of English, but non-native varieties such as Chinese English, Korean English, and Brazilian English. Lastly, the practical use of communication strategies is examined. Interlocutors are encouraged to employ such strategies as confirmation checks, clarification checks, comprehension checks, and other/self-repetitions in order to avoid communication breakdown.
A careful discussion is to be made by recognizing the importance of (1) to what extent foreigners in Japan can speak English, (2) to what extent Japanese people would be interested in interacting with the foreigners, and (3) what exactly happens during the interaction.
Toshiyuki Takagaki is an associate professor of English at Onomichi University, Hiroshima. His research interests include bilingualism and English as an international language. Address (work): 1600 Hisayamada, Onomichi 722-8506, Japan
contact asian_efl_journal@yahoo.com
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