Japanese English as an Expanding Circle variety: Viewpoints and approaches

ABSTRACT

With the increasing presence of users of English outside the Inner and Outer Circles, most notably those from China and the European Union, there is now a growing interest in varieties of English in the Expanding Circle. In the teaching of English in Japan, the concept of Japanese English, as an Expanding Circle variety, has long been controversial. Should a certain Japanese English be promoted as a means of international communication for the Japanese? Can it be a model for Japanese learners of English? This article examines various viewpoints and approaches toward Japanese English, especially with regard to its potential for the freedom of expression in the globalized world. It is hoped that this discussion will have significant implications also for other Expanding Circle users of English, who need to represent their own values in global communication today.

KEYWORDS:

• Japanese English
• Expanding Circle
• English as an international language
• World Englishes
• English as a lingua franca

Acknowledgments

This article partly reflects the results of research supported by JSPS KAKENHI [Grant Number JP18K00738]. The author is grateful to Professor Ariane Macalinga Borlongan and Professor Nathanael Rudolph for their valuable comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Suenobu (2011) himself employs the word ‘design’ to explain his approach.

2. Although the concept of ‘similect,’ proposed by Mauranen (2012), may be preferred in ELF studies over the notion of ‘Japanese English,’ similect can be more or less equated with the WE concept of ‘performance variety,’ such as Japanese English.