[5] 「ギブ アンド テイク」が肝心 ‘GIVE AND TAKE’ SPIRIT

南山中学校　２年　日英バイリンガル通信　NO. 5 July 17, 1988

「ギブ　アンド　テイク」が肝心

　貴紙の社説に「英語の教科書に落語を載せるのは感心しない。英語教育の目的は英語に堪能になるだけでなく、世界の文化を知ることであるから」とあった。しかし、日本の文化を世界に紹介することも同様に重要な目的ではないか。
　今日までの日本の英語教育は「テイク」主義で、日本は英語を通して西欧文化を吸収してきた。しかし「テイク」の時代は終わり、これからの英語教育は「ギブ　アンド　テイク」主義でいかなければいけない。
　数年前、私はスコットランドで開かれた英語教員セミナーに参加したが、セミナーには非英語国の英語教員が約５０人参加した。ある晩、各参加者が自分の国の笑い話を紹介することになり、私は落語の「時そば」を話した。これば大いに受け、落語を多くの外国人に紹介できて良かったと思っている。（以下の英字新聞への投稿要旨です）

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‘GIVE AND TAKE’ SPIRIT

To the editor,
　　In your editorial (Monday, July 4), you were opposed to the “modern trend” of including the English translation of “rakugo” in an English textbook. You stated that the purpose of studying English should not only be to become conversant with that language but also to gain a wider understanding of other cultures. I would like to add another important purpose here. It is important to know other cultures, but it is also important for other peoples of the world to know about Japanese culture.
　　English education in Japan so far has given stress on “taking” and not on “giving.” Thus, Japan has somehow succeeded, through the English language, in absorbing other cultures, though they are mostly American and British. Today, “take and take” days are over. Now, Japan should “give” things Japanese to other countries. “Rakugo” is one of them. Through a “give and take” spirit, the people of the world will know one another better.
　　A few years ago, about 50 English teachers from about 30 non-English speaking countries attended a summer seminar for English teachers in Scotland. I was one of them. One night when some 15 participants, including me, were drinking, one of us suggested that each person tell a funny story of his or her own country. One by one a funny story was introduced and when my turn came, I told the “Tokisoba rakugo” story. All the people there laughed and enjoyed it very much. I was glad that I communicated something Japanese to them.
　　Hiroshi Matuoka Nagoya-shi

(from THE MAINICHI DAILY NEWS, Wednesday, July 13, 1988)