If I know a little bit of Japanese, do they prefer if I speak in Japanese or English if I go to Japan?

Question

I'm from Canada and as I said I know very little Japanese. If I some day go to Japan do they prefer I speak to them in English or Japanese, if they possibly speak English?

Answer 1

Very few Japanese know English well enough to understand a native English speaker despite the fact that English is a required study in Japanese schools. That's why English language schools exist in Japan because the English lessons they get in public schools is a failure - even the Japanese Ministry of Education acknowledges that.



In the major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, etc., some places such as hotels and restaurants that are frequented by foreigners will often employ a person who is fluent enough to help a tourist. But don't assume this for all places.



Unless you have practiced your Japanese with a native speaker to help you, chances are you will not be pronouncing it properly including using the wrong accent or wrong stress on the phonemes. But a Japanese person is not going to assume you know how to speak Japanese properly so they in all likelihood will try to guess what you are trying to say.



My suggestion is if this "some day" is a long way off, and you are either in college or there's a campus nearby, sign up for a course and study Japanese.

Answer 2

The truth is that few Japanese can speak English with ease. In school the goal is rote memorization and passing tests, not learning to communicate.

But that doesn't mean you are completely up the creek.

If you get hopelessly lost, which is very easy in Japan, it is better to find some older school or college age students and *write out* your questions in simple words. Japanese are still very poor at speaking English but are often glad to help you out if you lose your way.

Carrying a business card or matchbook with your hotel's address on it can be a big help.

Any Japanese you learn will make your time in Japan better.

Answer 3

Try to learn as much Japanese as you can . Most Japanese don't speak English well, or at all . But there are exceptions . I've known Japanese women who spoke better English than many Americans .

How would you feel if a tourist came to your city and spoke Japanese to you ?

Answer 4

I've never been to Japan but from what I observe, the younger generation speak English; not fluent albeit enough to understand which is more than adequate. Although knowing a bit of Japanese help to forge closer bond.

Answer 5

Hmm. My experience is very OLD, as I had the opportunity to live in Fukuoka, Japan, for a year in 1955! I was learning to speak Japanese and to read Hiragana and Katakana. I lived in one wing of a Japanese family's beautiful home in town. Back then, even, it was difficult to practice my Japanese, as everyone wanted to practice THEIR ENGLISH with me! I rather doubt that anything has changed since then.

Answer 6

They prefer you to speak Japanese. Depending where you go, not many Japanese speak English confidently enough to want to talk.

Answer 7

As mentioned above, the listening and communicative skills of Japanese when it comes to English is minimal to non-existent. They study English in high school like you or I would study Latin or ancient Greek. English for communicative purposes is simply not taught, so even if you spoke English in normal speed most people wouldnt understand you as they have not learnt about English rhythm intonation or stress. Likewise Japanese speak English in a fairly stilted broken and unnatural way. Unless you come across someone who is fairly fluent or fairly confident or is used to speaking with foreigners or is comfortable in their own skin speaking English then dont expect people to speak or understand English.

Answer 8

It is always better to start in the language of the host country. It shows respect. Then those who know English will converse in English if you are not being clear / reached the end of your Japanese.

Answer 9

Speak Arabic if you feel lost or confused and they will bring you to the mosque where they speak much English and the people at the mosque will bring you to where you need to go. I have seen many people do this in Japan.

Answer 10

The Japanese you think you know will just make them laugh. Pronunciation is everything in Japanese and I'd wager your's is awful.

When you say "Good morning, how are you?" they will hear "My hovercraft is full of eels".