Why can't Ichiro Suzuki speak English?

Question

Why does he still need an interpreter. He is playing in America. You think with all of the money he makes, he could learn the language.

Answer 1

I admit, learning English is hard, but he could at least look like he's trying harder. He doesn't talk at all in the Mariner ads and even when he does, it's terrible pronunciation. Maybe he just doesn't like his fans and doesn't want to be able to talk to them.

Answer 2

It's true, learning English isn't the easiest thing in the world. Especially considering that it is so different from his first language. Had he spoken something like German or Spanish to begin with this probably wouldn't be the case. But as for Japanese he doesn't even had the luck of using the same alphabet. He has to learn EVERYTHING from the ground up. It may not even be the case that he still doesn't speak English. I'm sure he has to know it he wants to communicate with his teammates. But the fact that he has to be on t.v. giving interviews I'm sure that adds a lot of pressure. I'm sure that I wouldn't want to speak in front of a camera in Japan, even if i had studied the language for 2/3 years. He probably doesn't want to make any odd mistakes in his speech, and what's most important is that the listeners are able to understand. If he still has a thick accent this can't happen. I say give him a bit longer and you'll see some progress.

Answer 3

Did the americans who played in the japanese leagues speak Japanese? I don't know the answer, but I highly doubt it.

Answer 4

Do you speak Japanese? He just moved here! It takes a minute!

PS

Please Dude! Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. Asian American!