‘Language is only a tool’: Japanese expatriates working in China and implications for language teaching

Ryuko Kubota

doi:10.1186/2191-5059-3-4

Abstract

Drawing on a qualitative case study, this article questions two prevailing assumptions: that English is a universal lingua franca and that English proficiency is indispensable for transcultural work. The study involved Japanese manufacturing companies with subsidiaries in China and investigated the language use of Japanese expatriates and Chinese office workers as well as the views of participants (including managers in Japan) about competencies deemed important for overseas work. Interview data revealed that the major languages used were Japanese and to a lesser extent Mandarin. Although English proficiency was deemed useful, the primary importance was placed on the “ability to communicate’’ supported by communicative and foundational dispositions along with cultural knowledge. These findings pose a challenge for critiquing neoliberal underpinnings.

Highlights

In China, Japanese, rather than English, is used [in the workplace] in many cases; but there, the language needed is basically not Japanese or English but Chinese
Language use When I mentioned that one focus of my investigation was language use in the workplace in China, most managers stated that China differs from other countries in that
The prevalent use of Japanese and Mandarin might be related to the proximity of the written systems and a legacy of Japanese colonialism

Summary

Introduction

In China, Japanese, rather than English, is used [in the workplace] in many cases; but there, the language needed is basically not Japanese or English but Chinese. What’s necessary is for the Japanese (expatriates) to learn Chinese. Workers, who are capable of doing their job well in Japan, can manage [language demands] once they are overseas. We don’t consider language skill as the goal. In schools, the goal is to learn [English] grammar and vocabulary through tests and get the perfect score on a paper exam. The goal is to accomplish your task whether in Japan or abroad. We consider language skill as just one of the tools. We consider language skill as just one of the tools. (both translated from Japanese)

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