i'm just wondering cause i'm going to japan and i don't speak japanese at all...can i still communicate with them using english language...??
2007-10-31 16:29:31 · 21 answers · asked by jhade0821 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
tnx a lot at least i know that i can tak to some japanese in english....ok i'll study some basic japanese...thanks alot!
2007-10-31 16:44:11 · update #1
Well, like others have said you would probably be in luck while in bigger cities like Tokyo. But traveling to other places you may not be as lucky. In comparison to certain countries in Europe the number of people who speak English is not as high in Japan and since their language is so different even if they say they can speak English it may not be fluently. So, yeah definitely learn some basics and carry around a dictionary or some type of portable translator. Man, I'm so jealous. I've started learning Japanese and would love for an opportunity to practice with native speakers. It's a really fun lanugage.
Enjoy your trip : )
2007-10-31 16:51:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some Japanese know English, but their English is not that good. Sometimes their grammar and spelling are wrong. But some students and teachers (in my experience here in Hokkaido.) know the basics of English like,
my name is:
what time is it?
what day is it today?
what's the weather today?
and more basics.
Actually, some of my Japanese classmates don't want to learn English. I mean, they're lazy. T-T
But some, enjoy learning English.
There's a.....what do you call it...., a...sorry I forgot what the name is, but it's a device, the size of a cellphone, that translates Kanji's and Japanese to English and English to Japanese and the Kanji's.
But it's....￥5000
But it's worth it!
2007-10-31 22:39:38 · answer #2 · answered by TuckingFypo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can.... But maybe it'll be hard for you because sometimes they don't speak English at all or you can't understand their language... Or you can go to a bookstore and buy a japanese -english dictionary...
Professionals and students can speak English. I was born in Japan and they have a hard time pronouncing letter L. My name is ISABELLA and they called me ISABERRU CHANG...
2007-10-31 16:36:58 · answer #3 · answered by Cute_Belle777 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of the younger Japanese people speak a bit of English. It's a bit trendy to learn it in school. I have a friend in Japan who took it in school instead of French. But in general... you better take along a good phrasebook.
In areas with lots of tourists, you'll find staff that speak English. But if you venture outside those areas, it can be pretty hit and miss.
2007-10-31 16:36:01 · answer #4 · answered by ✿Donna❀ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the larger tourist cities, they speak English very well. Also, if you are going there for business, they will almost always speak English. The Japanese people are very smart business people, and understand that it's best to conduct transactions in the native language of who they are dealing with, or at least have an interpreter present. Have a good trip!
2007-10-31 16:42:39 · answer #5 · answered by pussycatwannbe2006 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would learn basic Japanese before i left. Some people there will speak english, just like some americans speak two languages. But Japaneese is the language of the land.
learn these before you go ...
hello
goodbye
do you speak English/ can you find me help in English
my name is _____________.
how much does that cost?
do you know how to get to (insert place here).
and remember to look up the currency rates so you dont get ripped off!
2007-10-31 16:35:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As an engineer I had no problems communicating with
fellow engineers. Reading signs is a problem, you won't
know what station to get off on without the help of a fellow passenger which is pretty easy to get. I carried a match book of the hotel I was staying at to give to the taxi driver. I found them
quite accommodating.
2007-10-31 16:36:12 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it can be difficult. generally, their english is not that good. maybe on the plane ride over you can pick a book of phrases or listen to some rosetta stone or pimsleur. check it out, it's a beautiful language and culture. i was in tokyo a couple years ago and the subway signs weren't in english at the time so that might have changed...
2007-10-31 16:33:46 · answer #8 · answered by Mike O'Langot 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, its illegal for a Japanese person to speak english.
Seriously, im certain that there are plenty of Japanese people who speak some english. Although it wouldnt hurt you to take a crash course in Japanese to learn a few basic words so at least they can see you are trying.
2007-10-31 16:34:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why shouldn't you? That's what you can speak fluently. After a while, you can pick up simple Japanese phrases. It's easier to learn when you're surrounded by the new foreign language you're about to learn, right?
2007-10-31 16:32:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋