Why do Japanese/Okinawans learn English so much faster than Americans learn Japanese?

[Richard Burns]

Why do Japanese/Okinawans (because an innocent abreviation get's sand in people vagaynays:D) learn English so much faster than Americans learn Japanese?

In fact this seems to be the case in other Asian countries as well.

Is it a coinkidink or proof again that Asians are the superior race?:scratchchin:

[gtlm2000]

I'm no idea :-| English is basic language in th world now.

[proudtobnotpc]

I think it has to do with the fact that we are arrogant and think everyone needs to learn our language and not the other way around

[Mehi River]

Yeah, I think PNTBPC is on the right track there. In my experience, most Americans believe that others should make the language effort.
For clarification: This does not mean all Americans.

[thistle]

They don't learn english fast at all.....they spend 5 years in school and some of them spend another 2-4 years in college learning english and the majority can hardly speak english at all.

I learnt japanese in 2 years, going to a Japanese language school in Tokyo.

It all depends on how much effort and hard work you put into it..just like anything. You get back what you put in.
American's here do not learn Japanese quickly because they are not studying it on a continuous basis. MOst just learn the very basics, very few go on to learn how to actually speak enough to hold a conversation.

[Mehi River]

Also, English as it is learned by most Japanese has no currency outside Japan. Unfortunate, but true.

[Jazz]

As already implied, English is THE international, one-world language.

But seriously, I'm no history buff but given where we come from and where we've been and the same with Britain, ruling the areas they have (S. Africa, Hong Kong etc), is it really any wonder....

On the other hand,Thistle makes a great point and I also learned (not fluent by any means but) a good amount of Japanese in about 3 yrs. ...

[Mehi River]

I had an interesting conversation last night about this (inadvertently), and the Okinawans I was talking with were discussing how they have sounds in their language that the Japanese do not. For example, Okinawans have no problem with 'sit' in English, whereas Japanese say 'shit'.

This may be a factor.

[Richard Burns]

^ I think his posts refer to us non SOFA folk. We do need Japanese. My Japanese skills sucks and makes life hard.

Now a service member doing a tour here and leaving doesn't need Japanese.

[abonifi1]

I had an interesting conversation last night about this (inadvertently), and the Okinawans I was talking with were discussing how they have sounds in their language that the Japanese do not. For example, Okinawans have no problem with 'sit' in English, whereas Japanese say 'shit'.

This may be a factor.

I think its more of the fact that in Okinawa, many (not all) learn proper pronunciation, where in Tokyo, or elsewhere in mainland they learn how to speak katakana english only, instead of learning English.

[Mehi River]

Really?
Surely the education curriculum is somewhat standardised...

Maybe Okinawans feel more of a proximity with the barbarian...

[abonifi1]

Really?
Surely the education curriculum is somewhat standardised...


In School yes......


Maybe Okinawans feel more of a proximity with the barbarian...
[/QUOTE]

Well, there are enough of them aren't there.:grin1:

[DJ Tak]

RB: you are basing your idea that American's have a hard time picking up Japanese on flawed test subjects. the only Japanese that an American SERVICEMEMBER is trying to learn is the type that will get them laid. They don't care about anything else.

[uriel]

RB: you are basing your idea that American's have a hard time picking up Japanese on flawed test subjects. the only Japanese that an American SERVICEMEMBER is trying to learn is the type that will get them laid. They don't care about anything else.

ouch. okaaay. :-|

[DJ Tak]

ouch. okaaay. :-|

Disagree? ............

[dk]

I don't disagree! The only Japanese I'm interested in learning is anything that'll make it easier for me to get around, order food, find the bathroom, etc. I'm not very social, and I'm not interested in making Japanese friends just to make Japanese friends (although, I do enjoy having some Japanese friends, I just don't actively pursue new ones). I'd rather learn more about programming and shit! lol!

Yep, I'm the bad gaijin.

To tell you the truth, the reason I like this island is because I like being able to see the ocean, and I like the pace. I couldn't care less if Japanese, Russians, or Koreans lived here. I just want to be left alone and live a nice, easy, slow-paced life as much as possible.

But Japanese beer does kick ass.

[abonifi1]

I just don't actively pursue new ones). I'd rather learn more about programming and shit!



Somebody has a Mr. Hankey fetish.....:barf:

[billhilly]

I am flipping thru my oldest's english summer homework today. A sample conversation under the activities section:
a. I think Miki wants a book.
b. Why do you think so?
a. Because she likes flowers.

Lacking a few details to be totally coherent. Infered that she would want a book about flowers, but the follow up questions had to do with a trip to London.:scratchchin:

[Mehi River]

I am flipping thru my oldest's english summer homework today. A sample conversation under the activities section:
a. I think Miki wants a book.
b. Why do you think so?
a. Because she likes flowers.

Lacking a few details to be totally coherent. Infered that she would want a book about flowers, but the follow up questions had to do with a trip to London.:scratchchin:


Yeah, that's because flowers come from London.
Everyone knows that:first:

[DougP]

Yeah, that's because flowers come from London.
Everyone knows that:first:

So do "real beefeaters" :w00t:

[Mehi River]

RB: you are basing your idea that American's have a hard time picking up Japanese on flawed test subjects. the only Japanese that an American SERVICEMEMBER is trying to learn is the type that will get them laid. They don't care about anything else.

The Japanese an American SERVICEMEMBER needs to get laid is the sum total of his English ability.

Any chick who is into gaijin doesn't want them speaking Japanese. It de-gaijin-ifies them.

[DougP]

The Japanese an American SERVICEMEMBER needs to get laid is the sum total of his English ability.

Any chick who is into gaijin doesn't want them speaking Japanese. It de-gaijin-ifies them.

lol, Yeah, sometimes the ladies (Japanese) prefer the guys who don't know any Japanese. They're not tainted goods, yet. :D

[DJ Tak]

I remember back in the day if you spoke to a girl in Japanese they would say "Ahh, you playboy"...

[Blues]

my theory:
japanese learn english easier because most of them start at a younger age (young minds soak up information quicker) Versus most Americans dont start till their adult years and harder to keep at it and slower to memorize.

[abonifi1]

We're just plain lazy, thats why........

[Mehi River]

I remember back in the day if you spoke to a girl in Japanese they would say "Ahh, you playboy"...

I remember yesterday well too:grin1:

[DoctorP]

^ I think his posts refer to us non SOFA folk. We do need Japanese. My Japanese skills sucks and makes life hard.

Now a service member doing a tour here and leaving doesn't need Japanese.

Maybe you should get a job that doesn't require English...you'd learn Japanese a lot faster that way.

[Richard Burns]

Maybe you should get a job that doesn't require English...you'd learn Japanese a lot faster that way.

What and loose my comfy salary and a career that I enjoy with great people? No thanks. I love what I do. If I hit the lottery tomorrow I'd still stay at my job.

[Richard Burns]

I just rack a diciprine. That's my problem. Reason my Japanese sucks and I gained weight. I just need to apply myself.

[DoctorP]

I just rack a diciprine. That's my problem. Reason my Japanese sucks and I gained weight. I just need to apply myself.

nah...I just think you rack reading skills!

[gtlm2000]

I was started to learn English when I was in junior high school. when I went to Texas, I thought I can speak English, but American people coundn't understand my English.

Japanese school should teach more real English.

[Richard Burns]

Dr. P thinks he's funny.

[DoctorP]

Dr. P thinks he's funny.

not funny at all...it's actually quite sad.

[Richard Burns]

Yes it is sad.

[CPOCPO]

Maybe you should get a job that doesn't require English...you'd learn Japanese a lot faster that way.



yeah, RB should just give up on learning English and focus on one language he may have a chance with.

[CPOCPO]

I think learning multiple languages once past the typical school age, has a lot to do with necessity. If one was forced to learn a lanuage in order to provide he and his family with food, water, and shelter (I include poontang in shelter and probably should be moved in front of food) then you can bet your bottom dollar the person would learn whatever means of comminication needed to provide and survive.

I can tell you that I've lived in 5-6 countries and travelled to over 70. The more languages I learn and forget, the more I realize that things I remember are how/what to order on a menu, how to get help from someone, how to get directions, etc.., how to chat small talk with girls.. it's all about necessity.

those that choose not to learn the language of the local they live, either chose not to, don't need to or are just bad/lazy at picking it up. Honestly, i have trouble with languages. I learned Spanish growing up and in school, so that's my second language, but there is a aHUGE difference learning a language for years in a school and learning it as an adult, and I applaud those that speak mulitple languages. Frankly, i'm jealous. (and a little lazy). The words and language I learn is because I NEED to, I want to... I need to eat, i want to order... If i never went off-base, I could see no reason needed for one to learn a new langguage, so I see it both ways.


If you want your child to speak muiltiple languages, get them involved at an early age and give them music lessons as well. I believe studies show both of these things help learning languages very much.

[Kikai-no-Kami]

I know you mean LOCALE...and i totally agree.

[Godzilla]

^ I think his posts refer to us non SOFA folk. We do need Japanese. My Japanese skills sucks and makes life hard.

Now a service member doing a tour here and leaving doesn't need Japanese.

Dude I said it in the past and I will say it again. Japanese is not needed to get by in OKINAWA. You can go years without having to learn to speak a single word. I have been here 10+ years and I dont know a single word and it has not caused me one bit of trouble.

But if I wanted to learn I know I could in no time at all. Just have no need for it.

[dk]

Dude I said it in the past and I will say it again. Japanese is not needed to get by in OKINAWA. You can go years without having to learn to speak a single word. I have been here 10+ years and I dont know a single word and it has not caused me one bit of trouble.

But if I wanted to learn I know I could in no time at all. Just have no need for it.
Don't bother if you don't need it, unless you just want to learn for shits and grins...

We have enough going on in IT to easily kill all motivation to learn a new language... By the time I get home, I'm usually completely exhausted, and it's usually just from reading how to do something than actually doing it...

I'll learn another language when I gtfo of IT and go into Marketing or Business Ops...

[SnaFu]

I aint talked no no one in almost 4 years. I'm only learning English again because of the forum...

:crying:

[Blues]

Dr. P thinks he's funny.

i just now realized a connection.... :-|

http://www.adsavvy.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/dr_pepper_advert.jpg

[Spadesy]

There's a reason for everything...and there's a reason for English being a world-business language. And no, it has nothing to do with "the arrogance of Americans."

[onebye]

Why do Japanese/Okinawans (because an innocent abreviation get's sand in people vagaynays:D) learn English so much faster than Americans learn Japanese?

In fact this seems to be the case in other Asian countries as well.

Is it a coinkidink or proof again that Asians are the superior race?:scratchchin:

I benkyo mai nichi....

[Guyjin]

Why do Japanese/Okinawans (because an innocent abreviation get's sand in people vagaynays:D) learn English so much faster than Americans learn Japanese?

In fact this seems to be the case in other Asian countries as well.

Is it a coinkidink or proof again that Asians are the superior race?:scratchchin:
......it's much easier to learn a new language if english is not you first language...and since english is universal most people don't feel compelled to learn a new language....also ...many places make it too convenient for english speakers ....sign...maps...menus in english:thumbdown:

[garryizumi]

It depends on the individual's desire to learn as well as the commitment (PRACTICE TIME) and comprehension.
It's easy to learn a few phrases and basic conversation in any language, but to 'cross over' and become more fluent and natural, you have to think in that language and not simply translate in your mind as you speak.

daily practice is key.

I speak english, nihongo, and espanol every day, so it is easier to retain..however, I am slowy forgetting the korean, and uchinaguchi that I have learned

[Muku]

You know if American's learned Japanese the way the Japanese learn English there is no way in hell any American's would be able to speak Japanese.

To those that "know" wtf I am talking about you should understand wtf I meant.

Japanese don't pick up English any faster than American's pick up Japanese. It's just because they are force fed the language while in JHS and HS that they "learn" some English.

"Some" doesn't mean they "know" English, it just means that they have studied it just enough to make an overwhelming majority of them feel inadequate in talking with a native English speaker.

[Biru San]

To learn Japanese well, IMO., One must have a sensei to work with... There are just too many exceptions to the rule in the mechanics of the language... At least for this 69 year old... Biru San

[Oxmix]

I don't disagree! The only Japanese I'm interested in learning is anything that'll make it easier for me to get around, order food, find the bathroom, etc. I'm not very social, and I'm not interested in making Japanese friends just to make Japanese friends (although, I do enjoy having some Japanese friends, I just don't actively pursue new ones). I'd rather learn more about programming and shit! lol!

Yep, I'm the bad gaijin.

To tell you the truth, the reason I like this island is because I like being able to see the ocean, and I like the pace. I couldn't care less if Japanese, Russians, or Koreans lived here. I just want to be left alone and live a nice, easy, slow-paced life as much as possible.

But Japanese beer does kick ass.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Oxmix/Misc/stills_hughes.jpg

Regards

Ox

[Muku]

To learn Japanese well, IMO., One must have a sensei to work with... There are just too many exceptions to the rule in the mechanics of the language... At least for this 69 year old... Biru San

I am curious what you mean there.

[Richard Burns]

IMHO I find Japanese to he a much easier language than English. Not for me learnng it unfortunatly. But IMO the sentence structure and overall language makes a lot more sense then english.

[gtlm2000]

When I was junior high school　student, I stated to study English at school, but education system has changed this few years, and elementary school student started to study English at school.