ALIEN NATION

Convo with a coworker just now following a class during which I used quite a bit of Japanese.

C0-Worker: I’d prefer you didn’t use Japanese in the school. You are the English teacher, so I think the students should only communicate with you in English.

Me: Sou dakedo...

CW: English, please.

Me:....

CW: You are the English teacher, and for many of these children, this will be their only chance to use English. I just...

Me: You’re an English teacher too, but I don’t see you refraining from using Japanese. You use it whenever you feel you need to.

CW: I know, but I’m Japanese!

Me:.... (thinking “no shit!” Reading between the lines, I knew what she was saying: "You are foreign and I would like you to stay foreign. I want foreign things and foreign people in foreign boxes, and Japanese things and Japanese people in Japanese boxes. By speaking Japanese to the children, you make them see you just like everyone else instead of foreign, and this upsets me.")

CW: ...and you’re not. So you shouldn’t be using Japanese so much.

(I stood there a moment thinking “you’re serious with this shit, aren’t you???” before I spoke)

Me: See, here’s the thing: in an ideal environment, your idea would work out well for everyone. But in the real world, it just doesn’t. The kids simply can’t speak English and connect English with alien shit. And if I’m looked at as only being able to communicate in English, then I will be as alien to them as English. As inevitable as that may seem to you, in my experience, speaking Japanese alleviates alienation quite a bit. So, I’m sorry if...

CW: I’m sorry if that’s how it’s worked out, but I’d really appreciate it if you refrain as much as possible from...

Me: I do already. I’ve been living here for 20 years. Longer than any of these students, btw, and I use Japanese every day to survive. It’s a natural part of me now. And I respond in Japanese to many things as naturally as anyone else here. So if you expect me to use less Japanese than I do now, you may be disappointed.

CW: I see. That makes sense, actually. I forgot you have been here so long.

Me: Yes. A VERY long time. (I wanted to say, "Too long!" but held my tongue.)

Baye McNeil

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Words by Baye, Art by Miki

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