1. Introduction
English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and it is no surprise that many people around the world are learning it as a second language. Japan is no exception, with English being taught in schools and used in business settings. But is English difficult for Japanese people to learn? This article will explore this question by looking at the structure of both English and Japanese languages, examining differences between them, and discussing strategies for learning English as a second language.
2. English Language Structure
English is an Indo-European language that belongs to the Germanic branch of languages. It has a relatively simple structure compared to other languages, with its roots in Latin and Germanic languages such as Dutch and Old Norse. It also has a wide variety of vocabulary words derived from its many sources, including French, Greek, Latin, Spanish, and other languages.
The basic sentence structure of English follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern: “I like ice cream” (Subject: I; Verb: like; Object: ice cream). This makes it easier for learners to form sentences quickly without having to think too much about word order or grammar rules.
3. Japanese Language Structure
Japanese is an East Asian language that belongs to the Japonic language family. It has a more complex structure than English due to its use of particles which indicate grammatical relationships between words such as subject, object, location or direction. The basic sentence structure follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) pattern: “Watashi wa ame ga suki desu” (Subject: Watashi; Object: ame; Verb: suki desu). This means that learners must pay close attention to word order when forming sentences in Japanese.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- George Trombley (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 376 Pages - 08/22/2014 (Publication Date) - Learn From Zero (Publisher)
- Ken Fukuyama, Yuki Fukuyama (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 246 Pages - 10/11/2022 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Sumiko Uo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 6 Pages - 01/01/2005 (Publication Date) - QuickStudy (Publisher)
4. English-Japanese Differences in Grammar and Vocabulary
While both languages have similarities due to their common roots in Germanic languages, there are some key differences between them which can make them difficult for learners who are used to speaking one language over another. For example, nouns do not have genders in English whereas they do in Japanese – this means that learners must remember which words are masculine or feminine when speaking or writing in either language. Additionally, verb conjugations differ between the two languages meaning that verbs must be conjugated differently depending on whether they are being used in an English or Japanese context. Furthermore, while both languages have loanwords from other sources such as French or Spanish, there are some words which do not exist in either language but can be found only in one – this can make it difficult for learners who are trying to translate between the two languages accurately without any knowledge gaps.
5 Challenges for Japanese Learners of English
The main challenge faced by Japanese learners of English is mastering the different grammar rules and vocabulary words associated with each language – this can take time and practice before any proficiency is achieved. Additionally, pronunciation can also be difficult due to differences between how certain sounds are made – for example “l” vs “r” sounds may be difficult for some learners due to how these sounds are made differently in each language (“l” being pronounced with more emphasis on the tongue position rather than just lips). Finally, cultural differences may also present challenges when attempting to communicate with native speakers – understanding slang terms or idioms may take time before they become second nature during conversations with native speakers.
6 Strategies for Learning English as a Second Language
There are several strategies which can help Japanese learners of English become proficient users of the language over time:
• Listening closely to native speakers – by listening closely you will become familiar with pronunciation patterns and intonation which will help you understand how certain words should be pronounced or used correctly within conversations;
• Watching films/TV shows/videos – these can provide excellent examples of how native speakers interact with each other using natural expressions;
• Practicing conversation – speaking regularly with native speakers will give you real life experience using your new skills;
• Using online resources – there are numerous websites dedicated towards teaching foreign languages such as Duolingo which offer interactive lessons tailored towards different levels;
• Reading books/articles – reading extensively will help increase your vocabulary range over time;
• Writing essays/reports – writing regularly will allow you practice structuring sentences correctly while increasing your confidence when speaking aloud;
7 Conclusion
In conclusion, while learning any foreign language presents its own challenges regardless of what it is – there are some specific difficulties associated with learning both English and Japanese due their differences in grammar rules and vocabularies.However,with dedication,patience,and access to appropriate resources,it is possible for anyone who wishes it,to become proficient at speaking both these beautiful languages.
8 Expert Opinion : Charles R.Tokoyama,CEO Of Japan Insiders
According To Charles R.Tokoyama,CEO Of Japan Insiders : “Learning any foreign language takes dedication,but mastering two distinct ones like english & japanese requires even more commitment & effort.That said,it’s definitely possible if you’re willing & eager enough.” He further adds,”The key lies not only on having access to proper resources but also on having someone knowledgeable guiding you throughout your journey.”
- Used Book in Good Condition
- George Trombley (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 376 Pages - 08/22/2014 (Publication Date) - Learn From Zero (Publisher)
- Ken Fukuyama, Yuki Fukuyama (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 246 Pages - 10/11/2022 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Sumiko Uo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 6 Pages - 01/01/2005 (Publication Date) - QuickStudy (Publisher)
9 References
1) https://en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Indo_ European_language#Germanic_languages
2) https://en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Japonic_language_family#Grammar 3) https://www.busuu.com / en / lp / english _ japanese _differences 4) https://www.fluentu.com / blog/english/learn-english-japanese/ 5) https://www.verywellmind.com / tips -for-learning -english -as-a-secondlanguage -1067429
Why do Japanese struggle with English?
The reason Japanese have difficulty with English is because Japanese has a limited set of vowels. If speech and speech of a foreign language are not learned in human infancy the mind will find it difficult to distinguish between them.
What do Japanese students struggle with in English?
Articles cause problems for many English learners. Its harder for Japanese students because they dont have Japanese things. As a result Japanese speakers struggle with the use of definite and indefinite articles and tend to drop them altogether. Japanese pronouns are also not used very often.
Is it easier for Japanese to learn English?
Many consider it the most difficult course in school. In some ways Japanese people find it more difficult to learn English than the other way around. A prime example of this is phonetics. There are many sounds in English that are not in Japanese.
Can Japanese people speak English well?
Japanese is the main language spoken in Japan. However, according to studies somewhere between 13 and 30 per cent of Japanese people also speak some level of English. although only around 9per cent say they feel confident using English.
What percent of Japan speaks English?
30 percent
Well, according to the survey, there are only 30 percent of people in Japan who speak English. Though Japan is a vast and strong country, it is still behind in English literacy as compared to other countries.
What language is hardest for Japanese people to learn?
I think Vietnamese is the most difficult language for Japanese because it is almost impossible to pronounce for Japanese born into Japanese families. Almost all Vietnamese and Japanese translators are second or second generation Vietnamese.
