I just watched the powerful documentary "Invisible Children" about kids in Uganda. I noticed that almost everyone in Africa, including kids as young as 8, have an extremely big English vocabulary and can speak and express themselves better than even some American children. I've also been to Japan twice and noticed that virtually no one there can correctly say a full English phrase, as the language is very difficult for many Japanese to learn. Yet they are overall an educated, wealthy society especially compared to Uganda. Any thoughts or answers?
2007-03-18 17:41:53 · 13 answers · asked by girlintheworld 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Because they're not monkeys.
2007-03-18 17:47:09 · answer #1 · answered by inquiring black beauty 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
There are a lot of people in parts of Africa that speak English on a very regular basis, and were probably raised speaking English as well as whatever native languages they speak.
Whereas in Japan, I don't think as many people just speak English on as regular a basis, so they wouldn't know the language as well.
English is a difficult language to anyone who was not raised from babyhood or early childhood already knowing it.
2007-03-19 00:54:50 · answer #2 · answered by marcelswifeee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, believe it or not, in most of our countries English/french/Portugese etc is mostly the medium of communication. Our school subjects are taught to us in English, and basically we are surrounded by the language on a daily basis. Our media... (mostly in english), the television shows we see, books we read... Even if you're to start at a work place, you need a good conduct of the English language...
I'm from South Africa... thank you.
2007-03-19 10:26:48 · answer #3 · answered by Reb Da Rebel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think part of it has to do with the english influence, english people also speak english very well (go figure)
also, being educated an intelligent over there is worth a lot i imagine, whereas over here it is as well, but smart kids are still picked on
and all asian languages are completely different from english.. different sounds, formations, consonants, etc.
and that was a very powerful documentary.. had to watch it for a class last semester.. sry for long answer
2007-03-19 00:48:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of Africa was invaded/settled by Great Britian around the same time America was. So, the official language in most African countries is English, French, or Dutch (the other European powers were trying to colonize the world too). In fact, South Africa has a very large white population.
2007-03-19 00:45:23 · answer #5 · answered by mukwonago53149 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Yes I have also noticed that Blacks in Africa speak english very well, and have a far greater vocabulary.
P.S. even though the others missed what you were going for here I didn't,....so I also left my answer open ended as you did your question.
2007-03-19 02:10:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Africa and India were ruled by England an as a result they have an excellent English vocabulary.
2007-03-19 00:46:18 · answer #7 · answered by Abby 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
at one point in time that country was under the rights of Britain, and you know that is were proper English suppose to have come from, just like some were taught in America to say yasuh,nohsuh...get it?
2007-03-19 00:50:53 · answer #8 · answered by wisper 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They do speak very well..the children are mature for their age.
2007-03-19 00:48:00 · answer #9 · answered by hailey 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
becuz when the white people came over there and started to get slaves they were talking English so it is only natural they would pick up the English language
2007-03-19 00:47:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
not all of them has good command in English. Maybe because of the western imperialism's that country
2007-03-19 00:45:19 · answer #11 · answered by arveen paria arasuk 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋