Really good and powerful speech. I'm sure half the audience was cringing with disdain and resentment while being forced to listen to this. Also, does the camera man have Parkinson's?
The whole "all Japanese think the same and can't express their originality'" is a bunch of b.s. It's a good topic to choose because the gaijin judges who have been in Japan for a couple of years and who have been brainwashed by their gaijin friends to believe this is true will give a high score to the girl. In a way, this girl is conforming by choosing this stereotypical topic. She also misuses the word hypocrisy throughout her speech.
I don't think there is much difference between high school students in Japan and the U.S. as far as conformity She should have picked a more original topic.
Yeah that'd be me! I was mouthing the words as she went, and realised later that she couldn't even see my face from where she was standing, so it didn't matter at all. Erika had no notes or cue-cards unlike all the other contestants - she did it all by herself without any help!
She participated in another contest two years later but as I am not living in Japan anymore I have no record of that. Her English is still excellent, plus she's learning Spanish as well!
@buukamisama Aw I really wanted to see more. I liked her topic. It wasn't trying to bring forth anarchy, she just felt there should be more liberation in expression/feelings in Japan right?
@Scurvyforall Yes, that's what it was. Interestingly, Erika was the only particpant to start from her personal experience and extrapolate to Japan as a society. Others either talked about the tear-jerking death of their horse, or made a full-on, urgent environmental plea, as it was trendy at the time (and still is). Erika's performance was very "different", hence the title!
She will always feel home in Japan, but she wishes for some changes in order to feel more comfortable.
The guy who laughs during the speech is a member of the jury, and he laughs at what Erika says, because she nails a real problem. It is actually very positive that the jury felt so involved in the subject. It was a split decision: the two foreigners insisted for Erika to win, while the lone Japanese official felt uncomfortable with the content of her speech.
The Japanese text in the description is a translation of the full speech. This way, Erika's message can be understood broadly.
Belive me, it's positive. I know the guy and we discussed it after the competition.
He first laughs at the expression "Flat as a pancake" because it's surprisingly creative in this context. The other occurrences are related to the jury's sympathy. Foreigners in Japan often strive to establish honest relationships with Japanese people, based on their own standards which differ greatly from the Japanese's. The jury is simply reminescing how he faced similar situations.
(Continued) The adoption of this stance towards uniformity would then, inferably, testify to a distinct Western bias in her perspective, and the lack of a contrasting argument renders the speech shallow.
I confess to adopting a similar stance towards the issue, but I would have appreciated a more comprehensive take on the subject. The speech is good for a first-timer, but context-sensitive analysis is necessary for any credible exploration of the topic.
Hmm... The great tradition of rhetorical speech as an art in itself, which we inherited from the Greek, is not studied nor practiced in Japanese high schools.
Therefore, I would suggest that your expectations are far too high, given the context.
Constrasting readings, theses and antitheses, syllogisms - these are all fine, but far too cerebral. This girl was speaking from her guts, about her own real-life experience. Living abroad isn't something she could have experienced through a book.
I suppose my expectations were pretty unreasonable. I just felt that the subject could have been dealt with more objectively than it was here. While it's fine to embrace individuality, I still think that Japanese youth should refrain from demonizing uniformity to the extent shown in this speech.
Overall, huge props to her for being the one who wouldn't be beaten down. The ones who are different are usually the ones with a story, and this is usually what separates a protagonist from a redshirt.
The single case of Erika shouldn't lead anyone to believe that "Japanese youth" are demonizing uniformity. For the greater majority, normalized social expectations are quite comforting, as I have seen first hand.
Erika herself doesn't hate Japan, but she wishes for more openness. Her latest (2008) speech included ideas to make Japan more welcoming for foreigners. I know she would participate actively in any project that would encourage international exchange.
I wouldn't be so quick to burn the concept of uniformity at the stake. I don't see it as being a societal handicap as much as an example of cultural relativism.
Perceptions of the individual and the collective differ wildly between the East and the West (contrasting readings on Confucianism and, say, Ralph Waldo Emerson would be beneficial), and it is necessary to possess a basic understanding of this dissonance prior to discussion.
Change does not occur on a political or social level. The powers that be ARE because of conformity--to rule, a small group needs a larger group adhere to it's rules and regulations. To rule, a small group needs the larger group to CONFORM. Fear--as the speaker gives us a vivid example--keeps individuals conformed. The catalyst for change lies at the individual level--with those take risks and who have enough courage to challenge conformity.
Three years after the fact, I am still in contact with Erika and I can assure you that she doesn't miss her uniform, nor most of the subjects she had to study in high school.
She's in college now and focuses on foreign languages such as English, French and Spanish. She's faced some adversity but she still pursues her dream.
It is rare to come across a Japanese citizen who can indeed see the problems, let alone speak out about them.
Let us be careful not to push our values and norms onto other societies, its easy for us gaijin to say "this nations problems" etc etc, but Japan has become the Japan that many of us admire, because of many of the things she is criticizing.
I see her point, but the grass isnt always as green on the other side. when you live somewhere, "over there" always looks a bit better.
I understand what you mean. There are many good things within the Japanese education system that I wish to implement here in North America, namely the greater presence of physical activities to keep the students in shape, and how they share daily cleaning chores.
Japan also is a relatively safe place where to live. But too "safe" and harmonious can also be boring, as Erika was saying. She may not want to leave Japan altogether, but she wishes for more openness and variety.
It is rare to come across a Japanese citizen who can indeed see the problems, let alone speak out about them. Erika however would probably not have done it in Japanese in front of Japanese politicians or representants of the the gov't. Foreign language helps her come out of her shell - unfortunately, for the great majority of my students, English was a torture, not a way to express themselves freely.
Erika's abroad right now, concretizing a part of her dream! She appreciates your support.
When I read that she wrote the speech herself that made it all the more amazing. Congratulations Erika.
I could only wish that my students were as passionate about English as her - I teach at the local Super Science High School and few students show the skill and passion towards English that she seems to have.
Yes, I only helped Erika with syntax and vocabulary here and there. But the hardest part for her was to *tone down* the original version, in which she was a tad blunter.
I used to dream about teaching at a Super English or any other high-end school while I was in Japan, but I realised I probably wouldn't have had the chance to connect as much with my students, had they been too busy cramming for grades. Oral English is always the least important subject...
Well, it's mister "I'm Canadian, no, actually I'm Fennch".:) That was meant in a good-spirited way E (I won't spell out your name unless you're ok with it, you had a hard time of it fron some people in the Noto, I know) kudos for posting this speech. Damn, this girl has got guts! Seriously. For anyone who has never lived in Japan, her speech could easily be the prelude to social suicide.I really hope she calculated well, and didn't suffer unduly. Japan could do with more like her. Good stuff.
The whole staff (save me, eh) gave her crap throughout; following the contest she suffered serious psychological abuse. Even though she won 1st place (a $1,000 rebate on a 1-month overseas homestay), her parents denied her the right to go, so she had to forfeit the money.
Later on, she had the opportunity to go on another, longer homestay in New Zealand, but a severe psychosomatic response to stress made her so sick she had to drop out of the program.
Yes, yes, of course. I deleted essuru's reply by mistake. I knew it was a typo, I just wanted to nag him a bit. I know him from back in Japan, it was all in good fun.
Indeed a small-town regular school. So small in fact that it's been recently merged with another school from the next village. They now both share the same and only foreign language teacher (who replaced me there from 2007). That must seriously suck for everyone.
The only non-characteristic thing Erika is that she was given the chance to live abroad for three weeks, when she was a 10th grader. That trip would have a profound, lasting effect on her.
what prefecture in japan are you working in? i teach in tokyo and despite the greater availability of English, my students' pronunciation are horrible! =(
I *was* teaching in a region called the Noto, north of Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture. A fishermen town with a tiny little school of 130, generally low-level with some exceptions. Erika for example would ace English but nearly failed everything else for lack of interest!
I've seen previously "hostile" boys sing along to Eminem, or learn the English dialogue to an animé they liked. Throw katakana out the window and try weird stuff.
I've found that these contests are often won by students who have lived abroad for at least a year or more, and they English is that much better as a result. No amount of coaching on my part can compete to having lived in Hong Kong or the US for a few years.
But I still love taking my kids to speech contests, since they gain so much from the experience, whether they get a prize or not.
Must I deduce that you are a Japanese teacher of English? 始めまして！
Erika's only spent three weeks in Vancouver. She came back fully motivated to improve her English skills, and to learn other languages as well. We even started after-school French lessons while I was her ALT.
Unfortunately though, Erika's been doing this against her family's will. She received no support, no encouragement, in fact, her language skills are frowned upon. But she keeps fighting!
Actually, Erika won the contest THANKS TO her pronunciation, NOT in spite of it. I must stress the fact that her English skills are far better than that of the average Japanese student. She attended regular classes a at small town high school, not a Super English school or an International college like most other speech contest winners do.
Furthermore, no one else at school believed in her chances, so she had to fight her way to the contest.
at first i couldn't understand a word she was saying...her pronunciation was sooo bad!!! but then probably 2 minutes into it, i think she was able to relax a bit more and then things really started to sound good. great speech!! awesome insights!! congratulations on winning!
You are quite right about her lack of expression. Even though she was talking from the heart about a critical issue, she couldn't forget the "speech" aspect, its apprehended stiffness. Two other contestants were livelier, but they spoke too fast, mumbled, had blanks. Erika won by default but she still won so I'm proud of her.
Yeah, from what I watched, the speech itself, calmness and pauses were very good. And she did make some good use of gestures. So congratulations to her, and congratulations to you on your work with her.
By the way, I got the first place at the contest too!! (I hope my attempts at "お辞儀" were acceptable...)
First place? Congratulations! Are we going to see a video of that wonderful performance any time soon? ;)
I did put a lot of work in coaching my students, so much that I ended up learning the full speeches too. At the very least, they were written by the students, unlike so many other speeches out there, written by teachers and drilled into the contestants.
世界中に配信してるつもりの「高校生の彼女」に対して「字幕を各地域の言語に変換」して「サブタイトルをつけない行為」は「伝説のリオのスピーチを壊すのに等しい」これがカナダ人という「世界で一番、ブランドにこだわるはず」の意図的にやった結果であったら・・・世界中大問題だ！（笑）
woodmanship 4 months ago
WELL SAID ERIKA!!! You`re brave and bold, keep defending your individuality girl and a whole new world will keep opening for you ^^
ANGIESSH 5 months ago
Really good and powerful speech. I'm sure half the audience was cringing with disdain and resentment while being forced to listen to this. Also, does the camera man have Parkinson's?
SpringH22O 5 months ago
such a good speech is a little ruined by a shaky camera.
SpringH22O 5 months ago
The whole "all Japanese think the same and can't express their originality'" is a bunch of b.s. It's a good topic to choose because the gaijin judges who have been in Japan for a couple of years and who have been brainwashed by their gaijin friends to believe this is true will give a high score to the girl. In a way, this girl is conforming by choosing this stereotypical topic. She also misuses the word hypocrisy throughout her speech.
ping1200 7 months ago
I don't think there is much difference between high school students in Japan and the U.S. as far as conformity She should have picked a more original topic.
ping1200 7 months ago
wow that's really impressive!
thenameaintjim 1 year ago
there's someone whispering her speech somewhat.. lol did she do any more speeches? I wanna see
Scurvyforall 1 year ago
@Scurvyforall
Yeah that'd be me! I was mouthing the words as she went, and realised later that she couldn't even see my face from where she was standing, so it didn't matter at all. Erika had no notes or cue-cards unlike all the other contestants - she did it all by herself without any help!
She participated in another contest two years later but as I am not living in Japan anymore I have no record of that. Her English is still excellent, plus she's learning Spanish as well!
buukamisama 1 year ago
@buukamisama Aw I really wanted to see more. I liked her topic. It wasn't trying to bring forth anarchy, she just felt there should be more liberation in expression/feelings in Japan right?
Scurvyforall 1 year ago
@Scurvyforall Yes, that's what it was. Interestingly, Erika was the only particpant to start from her personal experience and extrapolate to Japan as a society. Others either talked about the tear-jerking death of their horse, or made a full-on, urgent environmental plea, as it was trendy at the time (and still is). Erika's performance was very "different", hence the title!
She will always feel home in Japan, but she wishes for some changes in order to feel more comfortable.
buukamisama 1 year ago
is someone laughing while she speaks or it's just my imagination?
this is really really rude if he does!
pretty good english!
and wow theres a lot of Japanese in the video description :P
mytube1868 1 year ago
@mytube1868
The guy who laughs during the speech is a member of the jury, and he laughs at what Erika says, because she nails a real problem. It is actually very positive that the jury felt so involved in the subject. It was a split decision: the two foreigners insisted for Erika to win, while the lone Japanese official felt uncomfortable with the content of her speech.
The Japanese text in the description is a translation of the full speech. This way, Erika's message can be understood broadly.
buukamisama 1 year ago
@buukamisama
but if she nails a real problem whats the reason to be laughing about it?
laughing means disrespect and not agreement on the problem...
thats what i think
mytube1868 1 year ago
@mytube1868
Belive me, it's positive. I know the guy and we discussed it after the competition.
He first laughs at the expression "Flat as a pancake" because it's surprisingly creative in this context. The other occurrences are related to the jury's sympathy. Foreigners in Japan often strive to establish honest relationships with Japanese people, based on their own standards which differ greatly from the Japanese's. The jury is simply reminescing how he faced similar situations.
buukamisama 1 year ago
@buukamisama
so what happens when foreigners try to esablish honest relationship with the Japanese?
(dont remember from the speech)
mytube1868 1 year ago
fantastic speech, let alone the fact that she wrote it in a language foreign to her!
abunigel13 2 years ago
Awesome content. A simple and beautiful message.
devildogmre 2 years ago
(Continued) The adoption of this stance towards uniformity would then, inferably, testify to a distinct Western bias in her perspective, and the lack of a contrasting argument renders the speech shallow.
I confess to adopting a similar stance towards the issue, but I would have appreciated a more comprehensive take on the subject. The speech is good for a first-timer, but context-sensitive analysis is necessary for any credible exploration of the topic.
HighPriestofApathy 2 years ago
Hmm... The great tradition of rhetorical speech as an art in itself, which we inherited from the Greek, is not studied nor practiced in Japanese high schools.
Therefore, I would suggest that your expectations are far too high, given the context.
Constrasting readings, theses and antitheses, syllogisms - these are all fine, but far too cerebral. This girl was speaking from her guts, about her own real-life experience. Living abroad isn't something she could have experienced through a book.
buukamisama 2 years ago
I suppose my expectations were pretty unreasonable. I just felt that the subject could have been dealt with more objectively than it was here. While it's fine to embrace individuality, I still think that Japanese youth should refrain from demonizing uniformity to the extent shown in this speech.
Overall, huge props to her for being the one who wouldn't be beaten down. The ones who are different are usually the ones with a story, and this is usually what separates a protagonist from a redshirt.
HighPriestofApathy 2 years ago
The single case of Erika shouldn't lead anyone to believe that "Japanese youth" are demonizing uniformity. For the greater majority, normalized social expectations are quite comforting, as I have seen first hand.
Erika herself doesn't hate Japan, but she wishes for more openness. Her latest (2008) speech included ideas to make Japan more welcoming for foreigners. I know she would participate actively in any project that would encourage international exchange.
Thanks for commenting, by the way!
buukamisama 2 years ago
I think insisting on a contrasting argument is shallow.
JohnBreadForger 2 years ago
I wouldn't be so quick to burn the concept of uniformity at the stake. I don't see it as being a societal handicap as much as an example of cultural relativism.
Perceptions of the individual and the collective differ wildly between the East and the West (contrasting readings on Confucianism and, say, Ralph Waldo Emerson would be beneficial), and it is necessary to possess a basic understanding of this dissonance prior to discussion.
(To be continued)
HighPriestofApathy 2 years ago
Change does not occur on a political or social level. The powers that be ARE because of conformity--to rule, a small group needs a larger group adhere to it's rules and regulations. To rule, a small group needs the larger group to CONFORM. Fear--as the speaker gives us a vivid example--keeps individuals conformed. The catalyst for change lies at the individual level--with those take risks and who have enough courage to challenge conformity.
totowroe 2 years ago
In other words, "Don't be afraid." Don't expect or hope for change, MAKE CHANGE.
totowroe 2 years ago
she might be rihgt, but after she graduated high-school, she'll be miss her school uniform.
mildseven73 2 years ago
Three years after the fact, I am still in contact with Erika and I can assure you that she doesn't miss her uniform, nor most of the subjects she had to study in high school.
She's in college now and focuses on foreign languages such as English, French and Spanish. She's faced some adversity but she still pursues her dream.
buukamisama 2 years ago
It is rare to come across a Japanese citizen who can indeed see the problems, let alone speak out about them.
Let us be careful not to push our values and norms onto other societies, its easy for us gaijin to say "this nations problems" etc etc, but Japan has become the Japan that many of us admire, because of many of the things she is criticizing.
I see her point, but the grass isnt always as green on the other side. when you live somewhere, "over there" always looks a bit better.
panadesu 2 years ago
I understand what you mean. There are many good things within the Japanese education system that I wish to implement here in North America, namely the greater presence of physical activities to keep the students in shape, and how they share daily cleaning chores.
Japan also is a relatively safe place where to live. But too "safe" and harmonious can also be boring, as Erika was saying. She may not want to leave Japan altogether, but she wishes for more openness and variety.
buukamisama 2 years ago
Comment removed
totowroe 2 years ago
It is rare to come across a Japanese citizen who can indeed see the problems, let alone speak out about them. Erika however would probably not have done it in Japanese in front of Japanese politicians or representants of the the gov't. Foreign language helps her come out of her shell - unfortunately, for the great majority of my students, English was a torture, not a way to express themselves freely.
Erika's abroad right now, concretizing a part of her dream! She appreciates your support.
buukamisama 3 years ago
Great Speech!
I would like to visit Japan sometime soon. Experiences like this, make me happy to live where I do though.
Psilo007 3 years ago
Her english is really really impressive. Better than my own in some ways haha.
Nice speech too. It's pretty amazing she had the courage to speak out against such a normal part of her own society.
She did good :]
FSElement 3 years ago
When I read that she wrote the speech herself that made it all the more amazing. Congratulations Erika.
I could only wish that my students were as passionate about English as her - I teach at the local Super Science High School and few students show the skill and passion towards English that she seems to have.
Dijon2007 3 years ago
Yes, I only helped Erika with syntax and vocabulary here and there. But the hardest part for her was to *tone down* the original version, in which she was a tad blunter.
I used to dream about teaching at a Super English or any other high-end school while I was in Japan, but I realised I probably wouldn't have had the chance to connect as much with my students, had they been too busy cramming for grades. Oral English is always the least important subject...
buukamisama 3 years ago
She is really brave! Such an impressive speech!
I really want to make friends with her.
ritasky666 3 years ago
That is truly sad. Are you still in contact with her? If so tell her she has at least one fan from America.
ActiveAero 3 years ago
She's doing better now, studying English in Community College. She'll get to travel overseas again someday.
Erika reads these comments once in a while, so thanks on her behalf for the support!
buukamisama 3 years ago
Well, it's mister "I'm Canadian, no, actually I'm Fennch".:) That was meant in a good-spirited way E (I won't spell out your name unless you're ok with it, you had a hard time of it fron some people in the Noto, I know) kudos for posting this speech. Damn, this girl has got guts! Seriously. For anyone who has never lived in Japan, her speech could easily be the prelude to social suicide.I really hope she calculated well, and didn't suffer unduly. Japan could do with more like her. Good stuff.
essuru 3 years ago
The whole staff (save me, eh) gave her crap throughout; following the contest she suffered serious psychological abuse. Even though she won 1st place (a $1,000 rebate on a 1-month overseas homestay), her parents denied her the right to go, so she had to forfeit the money.
Later on, she had the opportunity to go on another, longer homestay in New Zealand, but a severe psychosomatic response to stress made her so sick she had to drop out of the program.
By the way, what's a "Fennch?"
buukamisama 3 years ago
I think that was a typo...i think they actually meant "French"
goindownwitit 3 years ago
Yes, yes, of course. I deleted essuru's reply by mistake. I knew it was a typo, I just wanted to nag him a bit. I know him from back in Japan, it was all in good fun.
Any comments on the speech itself?
buukamisama 3 years ago
Great speech especially if she came from a standard Japanese school as was previously stated.
ActiveAero 3 years ago
Indeed a small-town regular school. So small in fact that it's been recently merged with another school from the next village. They now both share the same and only foreign language teacher (who replaced me there from 2007). That must seriously suck for everyone.
The only non-characteristic thing Erika is that she was given the chance to live abroad for three weeks, when she was a 10th grader. That trip would have a profound, lasting effect on her.
Thanks for posting!
buukamisama 3 years ago
what prefecture in japan are you working in? i teach in tokyo and despite the greater availability of English, my students' pronunciation are horrible! =(
grandace54 3 years ago
I *was* teaching in a region called the Noto, north of Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture. A fishermen town with a tiny little school of 130, generally low-level with some exceptions. Erika for example would ace English but nearly failed everything else for lack of interest!
I've seen previously "hostile" boys sing along to Eminem, or learn the English dialogue to an animé they liked. Throw katakana out the window and try weird stuff.
buukamisama 3 years ago
I've found that these contests are often won by students who have lived abroad for at least a year or more, and they English is that much better as a result. No amount of coaching on my part can compete to having lived in Hong Kong or the US for a few years.
But I still love taking my kids to speech contests, since they gain so much from the experience, whether they get a prize or not.
Good vid!
JasonsinJapan 3 years ago
Must I deduce that you are a Japanese teacher of English? 始めまして！
Erika's only spent three weeks in Vancouver. She came back fully motivated to improve her English skills, and to learn other languages as well. We even started after-school French lessons while I was her ALT.
Unfortunately though, Erika's been doing this against her family's will. She received no support, no encouragement, in fact, her language skills are frowned upon. But she keeps fighting!
buukamisama 3 years ago
Thanks for commenting.
Actually, Erika won the contest THANKS TO her pronunciation, NOT in spite of it. I must stress the fact that her English skills are far better than that of the average Japanese student. She attended regular classes a at small town high school, not a Super English school or an International college like most other speech contest winners do.
Furthermore, no one else at school believed in her chances, so she had to fight her way to the contest.
buukamisama 3 years ago
at first i couldn't understand a word she was saying...her pronunciation was sooo bad!!! but then probably 2 minutes into it, i think she was able to relax a bit more and then things really started to sound good. great speech!! awesome insights!! congratulations on winning!
grandace54 3 years ago
Damn! To think I'm gonna be participating in a Japanese speech contest tomorrow. I hope they understand even a word.
In my humble opinion, she should have worked a bit more on her expression.
Pectiniculus 3 years ago
You are quite right about her lack of expression. Even though she was talking from the heart about a critical issue, she couldn't forget the "speech" aspect, its apprehended stiffness. Two other contestants were livelier, but they spoke too fast, mumbled, had blanks. Erika won by default but she still won so I'm proud of her.
Good luck with your speech! Keep me posted!
buukamisama 3 years ago
Yeah, from what I watched, the speech itself, calmness and pauses were very good. And she did make some good use of gestures. So congratulations to her, and congratulations to you on your work with her.
By the way, I got the first place at the contest too!! (I hope my attempts at "お辞儀" were acceptable...)
Pectiniculus 3 years ago
First place? Congratulations! Are we going to see a video of that wonderful performance any time soon? ;)
I did put a lot of work in coaching my students, so much that I ended up learning the full speeches too. At the very least, they were written by the students, unlike so many other speeches out there, written by teachers and drilled into the contestants.
buukamisama 3 years ago