| This study looked into (1) the use of English in Japanese mass communication, (2) the attitudes of Japanese adolescents, with limited knowledge of English, toward the use of English in mass communication, and (3) the relationship of the softening effect in the use of English in mass communication to English education in Japan. It was confirmed that the main use of English in Japanese mass communication was as an image creator. Attitudes toward specific English items in mass communication were measured through a questionnaire, and there was a correlation between the subjects' understanding of English words and their impressions. Heavy- and Light-viewers of television demonstrated different degrees of tolerance of English which gave evidence for the softening effect of English used in mass communication. The implications for future research and the pedagogical implications were discussed. |
