Does Yumi Yoshimura speak English?

Answer

Yes, but she's not comfortable with English. All Japanese students learn English in school, and Yumi would have learned some there. But most students don't become nearly fluent with school English. In any case, Yumi dropped out of high school without finishing, so that wouldn't have helped. In 2003, or so, she spent time in L.A. attending English language classes while Ami was pregnant. She wrote a diary in English which once was available online (but apparently no longer) - it wasn't bad - it certainly established that she was able to communicate in English. Still, she makes it clear in interviews that she is not comfortable with English. Like most people who study a second language, she understands more than she speaks. My experience in Japan suggests that Japanese generally are hesitant to use the English they know. Yumi is that way. She knows, but doesn't want to risk speaking incorrectly. There is also evidence that Yumi is something of a Japanese purist, ready to correct others' use of the her language. That would also explain why she is reluctant to use a language she isn't fluent in. In any event, Yumi is Japanese and she is not interested in being anything but - she's really something of a homebody. If the world would speak with her, let it speak Japanese. I can respect that. (Full disclosure: I am a huge Yumi fan.)

First answer by ID2778452115. Last edit by Dogsnark. Contributor trust: 4 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 10 [recommend question]