Does Japan Use British English?
Introduction
English is the world’s most widely spoken language, and it is no surprise that it has been adopted in many countries around the world. One such country is Japan, where English has been adopted as a foreign language for over a century. But does Japan use British English or American English? In this article, we will explore the history of English in Japan and take a look at how British and American English differ. We will also examine the influence of British English in Japan and provide examples of its usage. Finally, we will answer some frequently asked questions about Japanese English.
The History of English in Japan
English first arrived in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), when it was introduced as part of the modernization process. Initially, it was used mainly by government officials and diplomats, but soon after its introduction, schools began to teach it to students. By the end of World War II, English had become a compulsory subject in Japanese schools.
Today, English remains an important part of Japanese education and is taught from elementary school through university level courses. As a result, most Japanese people have some knowledge of the language and can understand basic conversations in English.
Differences between British and American English
British and American English are two varieties of the same language that have developed over time due to geographical separation and cultural influences. The two varieties differ primarily in terms of pronunciation, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, idioms and other aspects. For example, British speakers tend to pronounce words with longer vowels than their American counterparts; likewise, Americans tend to use more contractions than their British counterparts.
Japanese English (Japanglish)
Japanese people often use a unique form of spoken or written English known as “Japanglish” or “Japlish” which combines elements from both British and American forms of the language. This type of hybridized form is particularly popular among young people who want to appear cool or trendy when speaking or writing in English. It often involves using phrases such as “long time no see” which are not commonly used by native speakers but are widely recognized by other non-native speakers as being “cool” or fashionable expressions in certain contexts.
The Influence of British English in Japan
Despite its popularity among young people, Japanglish is not considered standard usage by most native speakers both inside and outside Japan. Instead, most native speakers prefer either standard British or standard American forms depending on their cultural background or educational environment. For example, those educated at international schools may prefer using the more formal style associated with Britain while those educated at local schools may choose to use more informal styles associated with America.
Examples of British English in Japan
Some examples of common words used by Japanese people which originate from British usage include: “lift” (elevator), “flat” (apartment), “lorry” (truck), “pavement” (sidewalk), “chemist” (pharmacy) etc.. Other examples include: “fortnight” (two weeks), “fags” (cigarettes) etc.. These words are often used interchangeably with their American equivalents depending on context but typically carry connotations associated with Britain rather than America when used by native speakers who are aware of their origins.
Conclusion
In conclusion then yes – Japan does indeed use both forms of the language – both American and British – depending on context but there is also evidence that suggests that there is an increasing trend towards using more formal elements associated with Britain amongst younger generations who are exposed to international environments where this variety predominates.
FAQs
Q: Does everyone in Japan speak perfect english? A: No – while many Japanese people have some knowledge of english due to its inclusion within school curriculums there remain significant differences between those who study english formally versus those who do not.Those who have studied english formally at school or college tend to have a much better command than those who have not.
Q: Is Japanglish accepted as standard usage? A: No – while Japanglish may be popular amongst younger generations looking for ways to appear cool when speaking english it is not considered standard usage by native speakers either inside or outside japan.
Sources & Further Reading
Kato T., & Kato S., 2010 The Development Of Modern Standard Japanese And Its Dialects Tokyo University Press Matsumoto Y., & Tsujimura N., 2017 An Introduction To The Languages Of The World Oxford University Press
What kind of English is used in Japan?
English in Japan is often called English (generally English) to mimic the Japanese inability to pronounce the difference between [ɹ] and [l].
Does Japan use English language?
English is commonly spoken in Japan and Chinese and Korean are also becoming so common that you can get around without speaking Japanese. This is especially true in large cities and areas with many foreign visitors. But your foreign language quickly disappears if you go to the countryside.
Does China use British spelling?
Originally Chinese English used British or American English as the standard which are now generally considered two varieties of English.
Which countries love the British accent?
British accents are definitely the hottest in the world as far as Sweden China India and the US go. British vernacular is especially popular in Asia and South Korea and Malaysia are also easier to deal with British accents.
Is English hard for Japanese people?
Japanese has only 114 different vowel sounds and pronunciations while English has about 2100 different pronunciations. Even if a Japanese person can read English well it is very difficult to pronounce these words correctly.
Can you visit Japan if you only speak English?
The good news is that you dont need to read or write Japanese to enjoy Japan. Japanese people dont expect you to be able to read Japanese and English signs can be found all over the country.
