that made me want to jab a pointed stick in my eye!
INTERVIEW/ Yukio Tsuda: Stop being 'happy slaves' of English hegemony
I have posted the interview below with a few thoughts I had while reading it myself.
So grab a pointed stick and let's go!
INTERVIEW/ Yukio Tsuda: Stop being 'happy slaves' of English hegemony
BY MASAAKI TONEDACHI ASAHI SHIMBUN SENIOR STAFF WRITER
2010/10/16
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People have different opinions on how English should be taught in Japanese schools, but few disagree on the importance of English as an international language that must be taught. Yukio Tsuda, a sociolinguist, is one of those few. He believes Japanese people should stop glorifying English and English speakers.
In a recent interview with The Asahi Shimbun, Tsuda asserted that English has become a pernicious "tool" of discrimination that does nothing but widen social disparities. Excerpts follow.
MikeyB: Whatchu talking bout Yukio?
* * *
Question: English is an international language. When you think of the future of Japanese children, don't you think English should be taught as a compulsory subject?
Answer: The way you just phrased your question is a perfect example of how positively the English language is perceived in Japan. Everybody seems to think it's not only so cool to be an English speaker, but it also enables you to communicate freely with people around the world. Many Japanese have yearned to become proficient in English, virtually worshipping it ever since it established its superior status among foreign languages in Japan at the dawn of the Meiji Era (1868-1912). But let me tell you this: English has its dark side that represents ruthless power.
MikeyB: "English has its dark side that represents ruthless power." So? Japanese does too. Just ask the Taiwanese or the Filipinos or any other group of South-East Asian peoples.
Please ask him to elaborate on that.
Q: Could you elaborate on that?
A: As a lingua franca, English gained unrivaled global supremacy over time. The result was that all other languages were phased out of the international scene and rendered useless. The most important corollary to this is that people's communication skills have come to be judged by their level of proficiency in English.
MikeyB: I bet if Japanese were the lingua franca, we wouldn't be conducting this interview.
Q: But still, isn't English just a tool or means of communication?
A: No, no, you've got to understand that English is no longer such a harmless thing. It is breeding discrimination and inequality because people are being "classed" into English speakers and non-speakers. Native speakers and people who have studied or lived for many years in
English-speaking countries have an advantage over everyone else in the work force and the international scene.
The situation we have is what I term "the hegemony of the English language." I urge everyone to look at the darker side of English, not only at its facade of an international language in the age of globalization.
MikeyB: Wow! English breeds discrimination and inequality! And all this time I thought bigots did that. I bet that if nary a soul spoke English in Japan, there would be no discrimination and inequality....and my house would be made of cake.
"...because people are being "classed" into English speakers and non-speakers."
MikeyB: ...really? They are? Could you provide some examples of this? What I do see is people being classed as Japanese and non-Japanese. Hmmmmmmmmm...
"Native speakers and people who have studied or lived for many years in English-speaking countries have an advantage over everyone else in the work force and the international scene."
MikeyB: Again...so? I have a funny feeling Mr Professor can't speak English.
Q: But if people are disadvantaged for their lack of proficiency in English, wouldn't that be
reason enough for them to try harder to become proficient?
A: You have a point, and I don't disagree. But what I worry most is that people who have worked hard to master English become its "worshippers" and unwittingly abet the perpetuation of the discrimination and unfairness I've mentioned before. In fact, not a few Japanese who have become fluent in English by sheer diligence are guilty of it. I especially want such people and English teachers to be more aware of the negative aspects of the "hegemony of the English language."
MikeyB: Who is 'worshiping'? Please provide an example of this 'worshiping'. If there's a temple or shrine, I'd like to check it out!
" In fact, not a few Japanese who have become fluent in English by sheer diligence are guilty of it."
MikeyB: Again, evidence please. Otherwise you're just talking out your ass.
Q: In the business community, Fast Retailing Co., the operator of the Uniqlo chain of casual clothing stores, and Rakuten Inc. (the nation's largest online shopping mall operator) created quite a stir when they announced they were making English their official in-house language. Wouldn't you think more Japanese companies may follow suit?
A: I wrote to the presidents of Fast Retailing and Rakuten, urging them to reconsider. There are three problems.
First, these two Japanese retail giants switching to English for in-house communication will have a huge impact on society. People will see this as proof of the importance of having English skills, and this in turn will reinforce the structure of domination by this language.
MikeyB: First, people can't peel their eyeballs away from their cellphones long enough to notice moving traffic! I doubt anyone knows or even cares what Fast Retailing and Rakuten do.
Second, native speakers of English will gain tremendous advantage over their colleagues in all areas of in-house communication, which is bound to breed a new type of language-based social disparity.
MikeyB: As opposed to the old type of language-based social disparity,
ie. Japanese speakers who already have an advantage.
Oh, status quo
(status quo)
please don't go
(baby please don't go).
And third, I understand that Rakuten and Fast Retailing are going to prioritize foreigners over Japanese in hiring, but if this becomes more common among Japanese firms, Japanese students with poor English skills won't even be able to hope for employment upon graduation. And what greater anomaly is there than to be unable to communicate in your native tongue in your own country?
MikeyB: Ooo! Ooo! Mr Tsuda! Mr Tsuda!
I have an idea. Stay awake in English class.
This country needs to treat its own people and language with more respect.
MikeyB: Finally! Something we can agree on. Let's celebrate! Let's go to a Soapland!
Q: But for any company that does business with overseas partners and wants to hire people from around the world, don't you think that's a legitimate corporate survival strategy and the company's employees will accept it as such?
A: I firmly believe that so long as a company is based in Japan, it ought to respect the Japanese language. A language is the basis of regional culture and tradition. No corporate activity should ever result in the destruction of regional culture and tradition.
MikeyB: Try telling that to the Ainu.
So if you do business in China and Germany and Mexico...I guess you better learn Chinese and German and Mexican. ...or...this will sound kinda nutty. What if we only had one business language that everyone could use? Then you wouldn't have to learn 75 kagillion languages.
Nah...that's a stupid idea.
Q: But even so, English will grow in importance and influence. Are you saying this has to be resisted?
A: Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying we should stop using English altogether. All I'm saying is that here in Japan, English should always play second fiddle to Japanese.
MikeyB: Is it the translation or is that a borrowed idiom. Shouldn't he be using Japanese idioms. I'm pretty sure the Fiddle is not Japanese. How about if English played second shamisen to Japanese.
I want the government to take the lead in protecting our language. The French parliament in 1994 passed the law on usage of the French language, known as the Toubon law, to protect the French language from being inundated by English words and expressions.
MikeyB: Mon Dieu! This just gets dumber by the minute.
So Mr Smart Guy, if the French ate slimy little sea creatures, would you?
Oh, wait...
The law mandated the use of French in official government publications and at international conferences. The law also aims to prevent overuse of foreign languages on television and radio. I believe the Japanese government should follow the French example and implement necessary policies. I want the government to protect the Japanese language and help it earn an "international status" by endeavoring to establish it as an international language. In this endeavor, however, the government must not be pushy with other nations.
MikeyB: "I want the government to protect the Japanese language and help it earn an "international status" by endeavoring to establish it as an international language."
In other words...Invade other countries, colonize and force them to adopt your language.
Hmmm....think I already saw that movie. How'd that work out for ya?
Q: We Japanese study English, but that's not because we are being "pushed" by the United States or Britain. It's the education ministry, or our own government, that requires all Japanese students to learn English. Also, I think a lot of people are working to brush up their English skills at their own initiative.
A: A slave who doesn't feel his enslavement is a "happy slave," a product of the ultimate form of domination. I see a parallel between him and Japan.
MikeyB: A moron who doesn't feel his moroness is a "happy moron," a product of the ultimate form of moronitude. I see a parallel between him and you.
People in non-English-speaking countries of Europe use English, but are on their guard against letting it overrun their turfs, so to speak. I think these Europeans are dealing with English with a certain degree of tension. But I sense no such tension among the people of Japan, and I want them to be less naive. Unless they are more careful, the day may come when they realize too late that even everyday Japanese is full of English words and expressions.
MikeyB: Care to provide examples? No, of course not. He'd rather make shit up to support his argument.
Umm, bad news buddy, Japanese is already full of English words and expressions.
Q: Then, how do you think English should be taught in junior and senior high schools?
A: English should be made an optional subject only for kids who want to learn the language.
MikeyB: Believe me bud. They already have that attitude.
It is a required subject at present, which means all pupils are forced to take it. But what practical need is there to force everyone to learn a foreign language? It is most important for Japanese citizens to fully master Japanese.
MikeyB: Actually I agree. They should not force everyone to learn English. But they should force everyone to learn basic logic and critical thinking skills. I think you could have benefited from that.
Today, the level of Japanese language skills is deteriorating not only among young Japanese, but in all age groups as well. Precisely for this reason, I believe Japanese should be made a compulsory subject from primary school to all the way through university, and the hours of classes must be increased so that everyone will learn to use proper Japanese.
MikeyB: A couple of thoughts.
1. If Japanese is THAT hard to learn, maybe it should be simplified.
2. Languages (like everything else) evolve. Too bad if YOU don't like it.
MikeyB: Reality check: - English is THE international business language. - If you want to travel, English is your best bet for being understood (in any country). - Japanese will never be accepted as an international language because it is not spoken internationally. - If you don't want to learn English, I suggest you take up Chinese. That may be the future for Asia.
I can't help but picture this guy as a tiny, bitter, pock-marked, whiny little ultra-nationalist.
Fin
I have a headache. Could be the stick lodged in my head.
Anyway, I'm glad to know many people who are more well-rounded than Mr Professor here.
Oh man....can't think, can't write....I need a drink.
Let me know what you think.
Till next time....
MikeyB
