Language Needs of International Conference Participants in Kumamoto Yuuki Kushiyama

2006 World Conference on Women and Sport in Kumamoto May 11 th to 14 th 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

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%

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%

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.

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.