Why do Japanese reply to me in English when I use Japanese.?

Question

Right now I am at an upper intermediate level in Japanese (speaking, reading, listening, etc). I've been learning for 7yrs.

Yes I am an English teacher (which makes it difficult to really progress that much in Japanese as I've got few chances to speak Japn). At any eikaiwa school you are prohibited from practicing Japanese with the students.....that's standard.

So I make it my rule to speak no English outside of work/weekends.

But I always come across Japn people who refuse to reply/ speak Japanese to me. I don't mind sharing, speaking some English and some Japanese, but most people I come across are just language bullies. It is annoying. They speak only English (even if they are low level speakers).

I can understand a Japn student living in Canada wanting to practice English...in that case, I feel I should speak English to them there. But they want to speak only Eng to me over in Japan too?

When is it OUR turn to converse in Japanese?

Answer 1

♡Many foreigners here in Japan are in the same boat. I've lived here for almost 9 years and have a Japanese hubby. I speak/communicate in Japanese very well, but people STILL reply to me in English often even if I've addressed them in Japanese first. I've even asked a few times WHY? and the answers have varied. 'Just thought you might want to chat in your native English.', Thought you'd understand better.', 'Trying to brush up on my English.', 'Good chance to speak English and see how well you understand me...' ☆Generally, MOST people are trying to be nice and polite thinking English will be more easily understood though. It's kindness!
Here are a few tips: Try to make it clear that you want to speak only Japanese, in a nice way. Find friends that speak NO English so that you only speak Japanese.
(^_-)-☆One guy I know here has an 'interesting method', when people speak to him in English (he too only wants his turn to speak Japanese!), he always replies in Japanese, "Sumimasen demo Eigo wakarimasen. Nihongo, ii desuka?" ha ha So, of course thinking he doesn't speak English, they speak Japanese.
Good luck and I hope you get 'your chance'!
BTW, most of my close friends here don't speak English other than the 'please and thank you'. We usually speak only Japanese.(*^o^*)

Answer 2

Because Japanese culture is rooted in respect... Which is sometimes actually, often misconstrued and when the two cultures collide it is sometimes a struggle to get to a common ground where, assumption rules the day under the pretense of "Politeness."

It is a strange thing when exchange students go over there too. The lack of communication that often occurs is BECAUSE they are too polite to be honest. The Japanese family's often allow privileges to their host that they would never allow their own to get away with, but do actually have problems with their behavior, something that would be to us, as simple as taking a bath first before asking if the head of the house has gone yet? or staying out too late or even leaving the laundry out past dark. These things are common knowledge there and rather than say something about it, many Japanese let it go, hold it in while quite angry over it and assume your better sense of judgment will just naturally kick in rather than just speak up and correct the problem. Which is considered rude.

In the case of language... I believe the "assumption" here is that if you are speaking to them in their language, it would only be polite to speak back to you in your language. It is called something like...? "not showing the hand." "Tenjakai tewatasu?" (Don't remember.) I was told by the lady I buy my Kimono from that it means to reciprocate naturally and equally in the same way and manner it has been given to them without help.... Meaning a respect full assumptive exchange without correction of mistakes. I don't remember the exact quote though??

If that makes any sense at all? I'm trying to say that politeness is often based on assumption in Japan and everyone knows assumption is often wrong.

I'd say the best way to solve the problem would be to include it in the conversation... Japanese like to be complimented but will always downplay their own abilities. Maybe they just don't want to seem better at it than you are? Again... assumptive politeness.

Answer 3

Well, I don't know about other countries, but Japanese people are pretty famous for wanting to practice their English at every possible opportunity!

I moved here nearly 3 years ago, with barely a word of Japanese, and I had 3 offers to 'talk with me in English' from 3 different Japanese women within the first 6 months..! I made a point - because their English was quite good - of saying that I was having great difficulty learning Japanese, but I just received blank stares in response! Not ONE offer of mutual language assistance ...! I was rather annoyed, so I didn't take them up on their 'kindly' offers of 'allowing me' to let them practice their English on me..!

I recommend what someone else said - just speak in Japanese! You speak Japanese, they speak English - someone will give up eventually, just make sure it isn't YOU!
; )

Answer 4

Well, if you are only going to speak Japanese to practice that language, what is so hard about believing they are only speaking English to practice English?

If it is that big of a deal to you, ask the person you are speaking with if you can keep the whole conversation in one language or skip back and forth between 2.

Answer 5

This is a common problem in every country where English is commonly studied. I suppose different people have different reasons. I think the main one is just that they are inconsiderate. They don't stop to think that you are trying to learn their language, so they insist on making you help them practice theirs. Best thing to do is tell them you are French and you don't speak English.

Answer 6

Japanese are courteous to a fault. They probably think they are doing you a favour by speaking in your Mother Tongue. Before I perfected my French, I had the same problem in France. Keep trying, don't let it phase you. When you reach an Advanced Level, you'll see things will change.

Answer 7

Because like you they are practicing their English..... I guess. But is true, you need to specify them you want to speak in Japanese and for sure they will help you.

Answer 8

They probably think it is easier for you if you speak English. They might think you're only using Japanese because you think they don't know English.

Answer 9

Perhaps your keyboard is lacking the essential key strokes to communicate effectively in Japanese . . . and the Japanese are also wanting to practice their English. Finish all communications with a simple "please respond in Japanese as I am practicing the language"

Answer 10

Japan loves american culture period! Maybe your accent is not up to par? Don't know. Why don't you ask them to speak to you in Japanese eh?