Language Needs of International Conference Participants in Kumamoto

1
Language Needs of International Conference
Participants in Kumamoto

• Yuuki Kushiyama

2
2006 World Conference on Women and Sport in
Kumamoto

• May 11th to 14th
• Hotel Nikko Kumamoto and Kumamoto Prefectual
  Community center PAREA
• 700 people from around 100 nations and regions
• For the first time in Asia
• A several social program

3
Result of Questionnaire Part 1

• Nationality (their native language)
• Botswana (Setswana), Switzerland (French),
  Germany (German), Czech Republic (Czech),
  Ethiopia (Amharic), China (Chinese),
• Haiti (French), Qatar (English), Pakistan
  (Urdu), Canada (English),
• Australia (English)
• Participants ability in the following official
  conference language
• English Good 91, Fair 9, Just a few words
  and None 0
• French Good 25, Fair 0, Just a few words
  8, None 60
• Spanish Good 0, Fair 0, Just a few words
  16, None 83
• Japanese None 100

4
Result of Questionnaire Part 2

• About language needs during the conference
• Question How well your language needs been
  met before and during the conference?
• Extremely well (no language difficulties at
  all) 83
• Relatively well (very few language
  difficulties) 17
• Not so well (many language difficulties) 0

5
Result of Questionnaire Part3

• Participants suggestions to the language
  situation for the future international
  conferences in Kumamoto.
• Person from Haiti
• I had some language difficulties at the
  restaurant and the streets.
• I suggest people to go out by groups and
  they have to paid for translation if they need
  to.
• Person from Botswana
• I wish that people could speak communicate
  in basic language (English). Also, please make
  basic Japanese and English dictionary or handbook
  write basic words to help for communications.
  

6
Some comments of participants about this
conference in Kumamoto

• Even though not many people speak English in the
  streets it is not a problem because Japanese are
  so friendly helpful. THANK YOU!
• This conference was great combination and very
  balanced.
• Kumamoto was remarkable and impressive welcome.
• Best part of the conference was the total
  engagement of the city and citizens of Kumamoto.
• Volunteers were a super idea. I loved how they
  were a part of all social activities.
• The hospitality and attention to detail has been
  exceptional. Kumamoto is to be congratulated for
  its commitment to the conference.