Shohei Ohtani, the reigning American League MVP and a two-way sensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers, continues to captivate baseball fans worldwide. But one question lingers: how fluent is Ohtani in English? This seemingly simple query has become a source of amusement and intrigue, and a recent interview with Dodgers reporter Kirsten Watson sheds new light on the matter.

Watson, who sits next to Ohtani during interviews, offered a fascinating glimpse into the superstar’s communication style. According to Watson, in a translated excerpt from a Japanese news channel, “Shohei’s English is very good. When it’s one-on-one, I can go up to him and ask him something, and he’ll answer me in English.” This revelation challenges the prevailing narrative that Ohtani prefers to speak Japanese through an interpreter.

Shohei Ohtani’s comfort level with English appears to be evolving. While he still utilizes an interpreter for public appearances, his decision to deliver his entire MVP acceptance speech in English surprised many.

As a market report highlights, “Ohtani shouted out the Dodgers organization for giving him his next opportunity going forward… ‘To the Dodgers organization for believing in me, I’m looking forward to this next phase in my career.’” This instance showcased a clear intention to connect with his American audience on their terms.

Further evidence of the Unicorn’s developing English fluency emerged this week in a YouTube video. Confidently discussing his New Balance shoes, Shohei Ohtani delivered a short, grammatically correct response, highlighting specific design features.

His phrasing, “Uh… Like a, white, and Dodger Blue? And my sole is so flat, you know, like the sole, it’s flat, I like that sole – flat, this is a more comfortable,” demonstrates an understanding of sentence structure and vocabulary application. So, how fluent is Ohtani?

Is Shohei Ohtani’s fluency in English even necessary?

While Watson’s interview and Ohtani’s recent video suggest a growing comfort with English, it’s important to avoid overstating his fluency. The Unicorn likely falls somewhere between “conversationally fluent” and “business fluent.” He can hold basic conversations and express himself clearly on familiar topics, but complex ideas might still require interpretation.

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Major League Baseball has a rich history of international stars who thrived without mastering English. We can look back at the legendary careers of players like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, both of whom found success despite limited English proficiency. Ultimately, Shohei Ohtani’s athletic prowess speaks volumes, regardless of his language skills.

It can be said for certain that Ohtani’s willingness to embrace English is a positive development for both the player and baseball fans. It fosters a deeper connection with American audiences and teammates and paves the way for even greater superstardom. As the Japanese phenom himself said in his MVP speech, “I’m looking forward to this next phase in my career.” It’s time to buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Japanese Shohei Ohtani Proves That He Can Speak English in Rare Break of Character Clapping Back at Top ESPN Analyst