1. Japanese 2. English Yes OR No OR Maybe?

[reitanicky]

uh..theres really no reason for that...it's like saying should japanese be made a second language of USA

i would be happy...i would actually get to learn it ^^

[Nyororin]

While I agree that it is unfortunate when it comes to scientific presentations, etc... That is no reason for it to be made a second language of Japan. Clearly, other countries out there are pulling it off without making English a second language.

I really see no justification other than simple selfishness.

I also don`t think that it would even be feasible if for some reason it did happen. I highly doubt that anyone in Japan is just going to switch over to speaking English simply because it has been designated as an "official" language. The world does not work quite like that...
If there were a significant subset of the Japanese population that spoke English as a first language, things would be different. But there is no such group. Most English speakers in Japan are transient - not even truly living in the country, let alone citizens.

[DevilHunter04]

No way. Why should they change? So people learing Japanese can have an easier time? I'm learning Japanese and you don't hear me complaining; it's hard, yes but fun. There's no reason they should change so people understand them better. We're the ones who should change, to learn their langauge. In all other countries except the US by the time kids are in grade school they know like five langauages. And I agree with Nyororin, it would be selfish for someone to ask Japan to make English a second langauge.

[SceptileMaster]

Is there even such thing as an "official" second language in most countries?

[Aniki]

Originally Posted by SceptileMaster

Is there even such thing as an "official" second language in most countries?

There are lots of countries who have two official languages, some even have three.

[YanBrassard]

Originally Posted by Aniki

There are lots of countries who have two official languages, some even have three.

Why do they have more than one official language? That's because there is more than one culture. Japan has a single culture (and don't even think about immigrants 'cux they don't represent the culture of the country) so why should they have two official languages?

French scientists are even worse in English than Japanese. Is it a good excuse to make English as the second language of France? I can't see any link between the French and English cultures, I don't know why they should make English as the second official language of France.

[ozkai]

Originally Posted by Aniki

There are lots of countries who have two official languages, some even have three.

Exactly...

I think people are worried that If Japanese peole can speak English, they will lose their Japanese which is simply ridiculous..

That tends to be the opinion from non Japanese.

Most Japanese I knew and know would love to be fluent in English, even if it was just for international vacations

[YanBrassard]

Originally Posted by ozkai

Exactly...

I think people are worried that If Japanese peole can speak English, they will lose their Japanese which is simply ridiculous..

That tends to be the opinion from non Japanese.

Most Japanese I knew and know would love to be fluent in English, even if it was just for international vacations

In Montreal, some native French speakers are unable to speak fluent French because English became too much important in every day life.

[ozkai]

Originally Posted by YanBrassard

In Montreal, some native French speakers are unable to speak fluent French because English became too much important in every day life.

That's funny because sometimes in Syndye if you catch a taxi cab, the driver will ask if you have an Indian dictionary!

[YanBrassard]

Originally Posted by ozkai

That's funny because sometimes in Syndye if you catch a taxi cab, the driver will ask if you have an Indian dictionary!

Well, that's probably because of the immigration!