The following is a translation of the Henshu Techo column from The Yomiuri Shimbun's Nov. 10 issue.
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He ordered melon at a restaurant in New York. He said it twice, but couldn't make himself understood. After pronouncing it differently on his third attempt, he was served milk.
Writer Yasuji Toita wrote in an essay about this experience of Hidezo Kondo, a cartoonist in the Showa era (1926-1989). The words "melon" and "milk" both have the "l" sound. Japanese people are said to have difficulty pronouncing "l" and "r" differently, but it seems to be a tall order even to pronounce just "l" correctly.
This must be an attempt to prevent people born in the current Heisei era from being tormented by this difficulty. English education is set to advance to a higher level. English tests prepared by [certified] private organizations will be introduced to so-called common university entrance tests, which will be launched in the 2020 academic year.
The new measure is said to be intended to improve speaking ability among the four English language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Some universities have already decided to adopt such English tests, while many others have yet to make their stance clear. Students who are currently in their first year of high school and lower will be subject to the measure. There is no time to linger over whether to adopt the tests, but due consideration is needed. Not everyone is seeking a life in which they can order melon overseas without flinching.
This topic reminds me of a Japanese poem by poet Machi Tawara, which was dedicated to her child of elementary school age. "Ears that cannot distinguish R and L will do. I will first give you words in Japanese." When thinking first about children's lives, it is hard to say what is best.
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