Paper short abstract:

If facilitation of communication between L2 speakers and not only native speakers were achieved, the borders of the Japanese language would open to new areas of use. The theoretical and practical premises were tested in a case study in Serbia and will be presented in this paper in detail.

Paper long abstract:

Most languages, regardless of the extent to which they are taught globally, are confined within the limitations of the relationship between local L2 speakers and native speakers. However, L2 speakers of a language have their own linguistic identity which they seek to manifest in the language, not exclusively through association with native speakers. This need remains unrecognized if L2 speakers are observed exclusively from the perspective of native speakers. In actuality, L2 speakers compose a new group of speakers with their own linguistic needs. Proof of this is the global use of English, now used more by non-native speakers to communicate with each other than with native speakers. The question is how Japanese might similarly open itself up. The theoretical premises of this paper were tested in a case study conducted in Serbia and will be presented in detail.

The latest research demonstrates that the number of noninstitutionalized students of Japanese is greater that the number of institutionally registered students. Our research has shown that amongst students of Japanese in Serbia the reasons for learning the language is predominantly personal pleasure and the broadening of perspectives, rather that the possible financial benefit. Research has shown that most students do not plan to visit Japan nor do they have direct contact with Japanese people. It might be assumed that the situation is the same in other small countries. However, if they wish to continue their studies, students need to find a way to apply the foreign language. The only way to overcome this problem is to act locally, that is, to provide the circumstances which will facilitate communication between L2 Japanese speakers. In this way, the language would stop being the exclusive property of its native speakers and would venture beyond its borders, entering a wider sphere. To achieve this, it is necessary to examine the needs of L2 speakers, distinct from those of speakers who live in Japan. We offer a method for the examination of these needs and will also present an application of the results of our research.