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英語を話しましょう
英語を話しましょう
小渕恵三首相が検討をゆだねた私的諮問機関
「二十一世紀日本の構想」懇談会は先月、
日本人の国際対話能力向上を図るよう提言した。
自分の考えを他国の人に伝えるためには
やはり英語で話す力と勇気が必要だ。
政府の方針とする以上は、
首相にもお手本を示してほしいものだ。
Speak English!
By JULIET HINDELL
I assume if you are reading this newspaper it's because you're interested in
learning or improving your English. If that is the case, you're doing
exactly what the Japanese government thinks you should. The idea is that
everyone in Japan should have a working knowledge of spoken English, and
that it should be the second language.
Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi asked a panel of experts to come up with a
vision for 21st century Japan. One of its recommendations was that spoken
English be made a priority. The reason is that the world is becoming an
increasingly smaller place. Everyone travels much more and is required to
interact with people from other countries by telephone, e-mail and the
Internet.
Tadashi Yamamoto, the head of the Japan Center for International Exchange,
an independent think tank, was on the panel. He told me that at
international meetings Japanese representatives do not get their voices heard
because they are less confident about or simply less skilled at speaking
English than their counterparts from the rest of the world. He said of the
300,000 English teachers in Japan, only half can speak English adequately.
Mr. Yamamoto, I might add, speaks perfect English.
I used to be an English teacher in Japan and I have no illusions about
the level of English in Japanese schools. But I would also say that these days
I meet more and more people who are happy to speak English, so I am perhaps
not as worried as the government about Japan's competence in English.
However, I think there is still a hang-up in Japan about speaking English
correctly. The blame can be laid squarely at the door of the high school and
university entrance exam system, which insists on testing grammar rather
than conversation skills.
What is important is communication. Leave the perfect grammar to native
English speakers, who, on the whole, get it wrong some of the time anyway.
Concentrate instead on saying what you mean, clearly and simply.
Good pronunciation is important, as English won't be the mother tongue
of many people with whom you'll be speaking English. And remember, there are
also lots of other languages in the world, and if you're traveling it pays to learn a few basics in the local tongue. People you meet will usually love
the fact that you made the effort.
But here is a last word to the prime minister who proposed this grand aim
for his country. I have on numerous occasions asked government ministers and officials to do interviews in English. We talk about the contents of
the interview beforehand, and they demonstrate that their language skills
are flawless.
But as soon as the camera is turned on they insist on speaking Japanese.
I want to say to them, "If you can speak in English, don't be afraid."
Does Mr. Obuchi speak English? I've heard that he doesn't. Perhaps he too
should start learning. I'd like him to set the example.
I assume if you are reading this newspaper it's because you're interested in
learning or improving your English. If that is the case, you're doing
exactly what the Japanese government thinks you should. The idea is that
everyone in Japan should have a working knowledge of spoken English, and
that it should be the second language.
Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi asked a panel of experts to come up with a
vision for 21st century Japan. One of its recommendations was that spoken
English be made a priority. The reason is that the world is becoming an
increasingly smaller place. Everyone travels much more and is required to
interact with people from other countries by telephone, e-mail and the
Internet.
Tadashi Yamamoto, the head of the Japan Center for International Exchange,
an independent think tank, was on the panel. He told me that at
international meetings Japanese representatives do not get their voices heard
because they are less confident about or simply less skilled at speaking
English than their counterparts from the rest of the world. He said of the
300,000 English teachers in Japan, only half can speak English adequately.
Mr. Yamamoto, I might add, speaks perfect English.
I used to be an English teacher in Japan and I have no illusions about
the level of English in Japanese schools. But I would also say that these days
I meet more and more people who are happy to speak English, so I am perhaps
not as worried as the government about Japan's competence in English.
However, I think there is still a hang-up in Japan about speaking English
correctly. The blame can be laid squarely at the door of the high school and
university entrance exam system, which insists on testing grammar rather
than conversation skills.
What is important is communication. Leave the perfect grammar to native
English speakers, who, on the whole, get it wrong some of the time anyway.
Concentrate instead on saying what you mean, clearly and simply.
Good pronunciation is important, as English won't be the mother tongue
of many people with whom you'll be speaking English. And remember, there are
also lots of other languages in the world, and if you're traveling it pays to learn a few basics in the local tongue. People you meet will usually love
the fact that you made the effort.
But here is a last word to the prime minister who proposed this grand aim
for his country. I have on numerous occasions asked government ministers and officials to do interviews in English. We talk about the contents of
the interview beforehand, and they demonstrate that their language skills
are flawless.
But as soon as the camera is turned on they insist on speaking Japanese.
I want to say to them, "If you can speak in English, don't be afraid."
Does Mr. Obuchi speak English? I've heard that he doesn't. Perhaps he too
should start learning. I'd like him to set the example.
Shukan ST: Feb. 25, 2000
(C) All rights reserved
- assume 〜
- 当然 〜 だと思う
- If that is the case
- その通りであるなら
- working knowledge
- 実用的な知識
- panel of experts
- 諮問機関
- come up with 〜
- 〜 を提案する
- priority
- 優先事項
- interact with 〜
- 〜 と交流する
- Japan Center for International Exchange
- (財)日本国際交流センター
- independent
- どこにも属さない
- think tank
- 専門家による研究組織、シンクタンク
- representatives
- 代表者
- do not get their voices heard
- 発言を聞いてもらえない
- (are)less skilled at 〜
- 〜 がうまくない
- counterparts
- 相手(国際会議での、他国の代表者のこと)
- adequately
- 十分に
- I might add
- ちなみに
- have no illusions about 〜
- 〜 に幻想を抱いたりはしていない(過大評価はしていない)
- competence
- 能力
- hang-up
- こだわり
- blame can be laid squarely at the door of 〜
- それは 〜 のせいだとはっきり言える
- entrance exam system
- 入試制度
- insists on 〜
- 〜 を強調する
- grammar
- 文法
- Leave 〜 to 〜
- 〜 は 〜 に任せればいい
- on the whole
- 総じて
- get it wrong some of the time
- ときどき間違える
- Concentrate instead on 〜
- その代わりに 〜 に力を注いでください
- what you mean
- 自分の言いたいこと
- pronunciation
- 発音
- mother tongue
- 母国語
- it pays to learn 〜
- 〜 を学ぶことは損にならない
- local tongue
- その土地の言葉
- made the effort
- 努力した
- grand aim
- 立派な目標
- on numerous occasions
- いろいろな場で
- government ministers and officials
- 大臣や官僚
- contents
- 内容
- beforehand
- 事前に
- flawless
- 完ぺきな
- as soon the camera is turned on
- カメラが回り始めると
- set the example
- お手本を示す