Slow Change

Natsume Soseki 1867-1916 is widely considered to be the foremost Japanese novelist of the Meiji Era (1868-1912).

He began studying English feeling that it might prove useful to him in his future career In 1900, the Japanese government sent Sōseki to study in Great Britain
On his life in the UK he said

“The two years I spent in London were the most unpleasant years in my life. Among English gentlemen I lived in misery, like a poor dog that had strayed among a pack of wolves.”

On the Japanese people’s ability to speak English he said

“The Japanese can read difficult books and know difficult words but the ear and the mouth are far behind.”

I find it quite sad that although these problems were seen 100 years ago, little has been done to resolve them.