Japanese students' ratings of US, UK and South and East Asian English

What is it about?

Previous research indicates that evaluations of speech forms reflect stereotypes of the perceived group(s) of speakers of the language/variety under consideration. This study, employing both implicit and explicit attitude measures, investigates 158 Japanese university students' perceptions of forms of UK, US, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Indian English speech. The results show a general convergence between students' explicit and implicit attitudes, for instance, regarding US and UK English as the most correct, and solidarity with Japanese speakers of English. The findings are discussed in relation to intergroup relations between the traditional Japanese cohort and specific groups of overseas students, particularly in light of recent internationalisation policies adopted by many Japanese universities, and the resultant increase in international students from South and East Asia.

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Why is it important?

Public perceptions of languages and language varieties are powerful influences upon the social judgements of individuals, even in comparison with their physical attributes. There do not appear to have been any previous in‐depth studies examining the attitudes of Japanese university students towards different forms of non‐native as well as native forms of English, other than Japanese English. Multivariate analysis indicated a clear tendency for Japanese university students to evaluate (speakers) of different forms of South and East Asian English negatively (Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Indian English), in comparison with (speakers of) UK and US English, at both implicit (unconscious) and explicit (conscious) levels.