[TamreuddyRada]

You know, after almost a year of getting into anime and listening to Japanese music, I find a lot of English words used in song lyrics and catch phrases.

Like the (first) ending for Bleach... half of it is in English. Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 -- the catch phrase "Knight Sabers, Action!" is said in English.

I also notice in video games there are sometimes random things spelled out in English.

So yeah, do most Japanese people have the ability to read and speak English to the extent I think they would need to?

[L6RLnyfl]

IIRC it's a requirement to learn English when they're in high school.

[TamreuddyRada]

That would explain a lot. Is this true for other countries as well? I know we have a lot of Dutch, German, Scandinavian etc. folks here.

[Sxedlawb]

It's mostly cause they think using English is cool. Whatever helps them sleep at night with their engrish.

[LeviBrawn]

Yep English is a requirement here.

[TamreuddyRada]

Yep English is a requirement here.

In Minnesota?

[LeviBrawn]

In Minnesota?

Yep. [yes]

[TamreuddyRada]

Lol I'm confused.

[Qnnoshxj]

Lol I'm confused.

I think he means the average Japanese knows English in Minnesota. [rofl]

EDIT:
And that has nothing to do with the thread...

[TamreuddyRada]

I'd hope that most Japanese-Americans know decent English, if that's what he means.

Still, surely someone here actually lives in Japan and has interacted with this stuff?

[gopsbousperie]

In Russia English language classes were required of me to take starting 3rd grade, German or French starting 5th grade, along with the standard Russian language and secondary regional language such as Uzbeki or Tatar or Ukranian, etc through out my schooling.

[8IhGpvH0]

English is mandatory in Finland starting from the 3rd grade (age 10) at comprehensive school. It lasts until the end of comprehensive school (age 16). It is also mandatory from there on, at upper secondary schools (a 3-year school generally from age 16 to 19), and also in higher level schools (Universities etc).

In addition, Swedish is mandatory as it's our second official language, though it is being phased out little by little.

The most common optional languages are German, French and Spanish. Italian and Latin are somewhat usual, though not all that popular.

[forebirdo]

IIRC it's a requirement to learn English when they're in high school.

So?
So are german and french here, yet nobody can speak them very well..

[usaguedriedax]

Yep. [yes]

[rofl] classic

I know Swedish people can probably speak English better than me, and I'm English

[joulseenjoync]

I would assume they have to know English considering katakana is used for western words.

[discountviagraman]

You can expect most to have a basic level. You find parts of English mixed in with Japanese because its 'cool' to use English. I'll let you know you May anyway

[KatoabamyHant]

You know, after almost a year of getting into anime and listening to Japanese music, I find a lot of English words used in song lyrics and catch phrases.

Like the (first) ending for Bleach... half of it is in English. Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 -- the catch phrase "Knight Sabers, Action!" is said in English.

I also notice in video games there are sometimes random things spelled out in English.

So yeah, do most Japanese people have the ability to read and speak English to the extent I think they would need to?

English is a required class in Japanese high schools. Like a second language.

[TeftyJokip]

English is a required class in Japanese high schools. Like a second language.

Yeap, same like here in Malaysia.

[joulseenjoync]

Yeap, same like here in Malaysia.

Same goes for Hong Kong.

It's becase it's more of a universal language.

[TeftyJokip]

Same goes for Hong Kong.

It's becase it's more of a universal language.

or maybe because HK and M'sia was once under British rule? hmmm....