The Psycho-social Effects of Language Barrier to the Japanese Students of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School under Grades 1 to 12

A quick study of how Language Barrier affects the Japanese 

(日本人) students of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International school as a performance task in the subject Empowerment Technology

By: Arayan, Renz Kayle; Lozada, Ralph Justine; Pagalan, Shin

Statement of the Problem

          Language is an important factor in communication which transpires an effective mutuality between people. Henry Sweet (n.d.), an English phonetician and a language scholar, proposed that language is the expression of ideas by means of speech-sounds combined into words. Words are combined into sentences, this combination answering to that of ideas into thoughts.

         In School, language has played a huge function in students’ performance on socializing, comprehending, and communicating. It is necessarily needed for any kind of communication. Problems occur in situation where communication doesn’t take place. When this happens, the inability to communicate, many aspects of the child are being affected. The antecedent of misunderstanding and misinterpretation caused by language is known as Language Barrier.

          Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School, a Filipino and Japanese school, is a direct subject of this problem. Foreign students, Japanese (日本人) specifically, have been facing it. This study is conducted to determine the psycho-social effects of the language differences through seeking responses of the following questions:

 1. あなたは 学校でフィリピン人の同級生と友達を作っていますか。 (Do you make friends in school with your Filipino classmates?)

1.1. 他の知人。 (Other acquaintances?)

2. あなたは タガログ語を使ってフィリピン人の同級生とコミュニケーション出来ますか。 (Can you communicate with your Filipino classmates using Tagalog?)

2.1 ビサヤ語。 (Bisaya?)

3.  あなたは 先生がタガログ語を使って話してる時にクラスに追いつくことは出来ますか。 (Can you catch up in class when your teacher utilizes Tagalog in speaking?)

4. あなたは 先生が授業中に教えてることを理解することが出来ますか。(Can you understand the lessons your teacher is discussing?)

Hypothesis

          We assume that language barrier hinders communication and it prevents students from talking to each other freely with their emotions and expressions due to lack of knowledge on the language of the other. It will unable students to attain competent conversations and camaraderie, restraining themselves to speak and understand both parties. Moreover, language barrier affects the performance of the students to do well and understand the lessons being discussed, also, limiting their capacity to socialized, cultivate, and to enjoy situations for improvement.

Data Analysis

Conclusion
          Language barrier is indeed a hindrance to the students in Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School. It can be prevented somehow but it will take knowledge in speaking English or Nihongo. Since most of the students have difficulty in communicating in Tagalog/Bisaya, a special class or a special attention in Filipino or Mother Tongue Class could help them learn the specific language properly. Talking in their homes using Tagalog/Bisaya can also improve their speaking skills as they utilize the language and it will give them a boost of confidence on speaking it due to experiences in their own houses. If these suggestions can be implemented, we will surely see a drastic change in communication between the Filipinos and Nihonjins.

References 

Crystal, D., & Robins, H. R. (2018, October 5). Language. Retrieved December 09, 2018, from Encylopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/language

Khullar, V. (2017, April 26). How do language barriers affect communication? Retrieved December 9, 2018, from Quora: https://www.quora.com/How-do-language-barriers-affect-communication

Elsworth, S. (n.d.). Do Language Barriers Affect Student Performance In School? Retrieved December 9, 2018, from The Classmate: https://www.theclassroom.com/language-barriers-affect-student-performance-school-5911.html

ADictionary (Director). (2015). Language Barrier Meaning [Motion Picture].