More of English in Japan
Ah Japan! Ever ready source of inspiration!
Ever since Japan's borders were forced open by some heavyhanded diplomacy, the world's had a thing for our neighbors to the east. Call it Orientalism, Yellow Fever, ... whatever! But we know genius when we see it here at Platypussy Records, so let the naysayers nay away!
Let's Play in English Japanese Kids' Show
Ahh, English in Japan... granted yours truly wouldn't be here if it wasn't for a series of government programs stretching back to the beginning of Japan's interaction with the West. Foreign Advisers were imported to bring the country into 'modernity', but at what cost? Well maybe things moved a little too fast. English words, often absorbed as jargon long before their linguistic roots were studied to the point of understanding, have flooded and mutated inside of Japan. Rendered with a phonetic alphabet which does not recognize consonants but only consonant and vowel combinations, words like 'dog' and 'cat' become 'doggu and catto'. Incorrect to native speakers... trendy to the Japanese? They say the average elementary school student in Japan already knows 1000 English words via their Japanese pronunciations.
Great Hamburger
Eric is a 'tarento'. But who can blame him, he's living the dream. Appearing in a regular NHK educational segment, he jams on his guitar in a way that would make him welcome on any of our tours. Yet are we fooling ourselves here? Is this really a way to English fluency/proficiency? With their English scores being some of the lowest in modernized Asia in addition to all the money being thrown at the problem, what's the deal? Why learn English anyway?
Exercise, Drama, .... English?
Because you might get mugged in a highly dangerous foreign country! In addition to blaming many internal crimes on foreigners (Ethnic Chinese and Korean immigrants are largely seen to be the force behind organized crime in Japan), most Japanese seem quick to point out the dangerousness of most Western countries. Maybe so, since media of all kinds sensationalizes violence, but then again couldn't it have something to do with how foreigners are depicted in popular culture? They used to appear quite often as low level thugs for evil guys due to their stature and physiques. Especially black men. In fact, up until 20 years ago, blackface singers, mascots, etc were highly mainstream. Even now, Lil' Black Sambo still lives on in the 'cuteness' market of children's books and plushies. Why does it seem like Japan is living in the past?
Peekaboo!
This could be just a simple case of being to serious... Japan is notorious for having one of the longest 'childhoods' in the world, so much so that it's not uncommon for adults to be obsessed with stuffed animals and wear plastic accessories of a whimsical nature. Ultimately, English education for children will always have to fall into Edutainment. Why not join the Bliss Abyss and grab an instrument? Cuteness will back you up, 1000%. Alongside insanity from Japan.
Ever since Japan's borders were forced open by some heavyhanded diplomacy, the world's had a thing for our neighbors to the east. Call it Orientalism, Yellow Fever, ... whatever! But we know genius when we see it here at Platypussy Records, so let the naysayers nay away!
Let's Play in English Japanese Kids' Show
Ahh, English in Japan... granted yours truly wouldn't be here if it wasn't for a series of government programs stretching back to the beginning of Japan's interaction with the West. Foreign Advisers were imported to bring the country into 'modernity', but at what cost? Well maybe things moved a little too fast. English words, often absorbed as jargon long before their linguistic roots were studied to the point of understanding, have flooded and mutated inside of Japan. Rendered with a phonetic alphabet which does not recognize consonants but only consonant and vowel combinations, words like 'dog' and 'cat' become 'doggu and catto'. Incorrect to native speakers... trendy to the Japanese? They say the average elementary school student in Japan already knows 1000 English words via their Japanese pronunciations.
Great Hamburger
Eric is a 'tarento'. But who can blame him, he's living the dream. Appearing in a regular NHK educational segment, he jams on his guitar in a way that would make him welcome on any of our tours. Yet are we fooling ourselves here? Is this really a way to English fluency/proficiency? With their English scores being some of the lowest in modernized Asia in addition to all the money being thrown at the problem, what's the deal? Why learn English anyway?
Exercise, Drama, .... English?
Because you might get mugged in a highly dangerous foreign country! In addition to blaming many internal crimes on foreigners (Ethnic Chinese and Korean immigrants are largely seen to be the force behind organized crime in Japan), most Japanese seem quick to point out the dangerousness of most Western countries. Maybe so, since media of all kinds sensationalizes violence, but then again couldn't it have something to do with how foreigners are depicted in popular culture? They used to appear quite often as low level thugs for evil guys due to their stature and physiques. Especially black men. In fact, up until 20 years ago, blackface singers, mascots, etc were highly mainstream. Even now, Lil' Black Sambo still lives on in the 'cuteness' market of children's books and plushies. Why does it seem like Japan is living in the past?
Peekaboo!
This could be just a simple case of being to serious... Japan is notorious for having one of the longest 'childhoods' in the world, so much so that it's not uncommon for adults to be obsessed with stuffed animals and wear plastic accessories of a whimsical nature. Ultimately, English education for children will always have to fall into Edutainment. Why not join the Bliss Abyss and grab an instrument? Cuteness will back you up, 1000%. Alongside insanity from Japan.
posted by Daemon Flush Boy at 10:19 PM
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