What is the とも in this sentence? 日本人は英語を学ばずとも暮らせる環境に居ます。


> 日本人は英語を学ばず **とも** 暮らせる環境に居ます。
>
> Japanese people are in an environment where they can live without having to
> learn English.

Is the とも in this sentence one word or is it two words: と and も ? I guess it
is one word as I see it in this sentence as well:

> 一方、日本語の文字は、漢字を学ばなく **とも** よいなら世界でもっともやさしいといわれています。 On the other hand,
> written Japanese is one of the easiest in the world if you do not have to
> learn kanji.

Would anyone care to explain the とも and how it is used in these sentences?




It is
[this](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/jn2/160335/m0u/%E3%81%A8%E3%82%82/)
とも, specifically the first definition. Originally two particles, now arguably
one word. "X とも" basically means "Even if X" in cases like this.

  * 日本人は **[英語を学ばずとも暮らせる]** 環境に居ます。  
Japanese people are in an environment where **[they can live even if they
don't learn English]**.

  * 一方、日本語の文字は、 **[漢字を学ばなくともよい]** なら世界でもっともやさしいといわれています。  
On the other hand, Japanese characters are said to be the easiest in the world
if **[you don't have to learn kanji]**.  
On the other hand, Japanese characters are said to be the easiest in the world
if **[it's OK even if you don't learn kanji]**.  

(The second translation in that last one is intentionally overliteral to show
the "even if".)




It is
[this](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/jn2/160335/m0u/%E3%81%A8%E3%82%82/)
とも, specifically the first definition. Originally two particles, now arguably
one word. "X とも" basically means "Even if X" in cases like this.

  * 日本人は **[英語を学ばずとも暮らせる]** 環境に居ます。  
Japanese people are in an environment where **[they can live even if they
don't learn English]**.

  * 一方、日本語の文字は、 **[漢字を学ばなくともよい]** なら世界でもっともやさしいといわれています。  
On the other hand, Japanese characters are said to be the easiest in the world
if **[you don't have to learn kanji]**.  
On the other hand, Japanese characters are said to be the easiest in the world
if **[it's OK even if you don't learn kanji]**.  

(The second translation in that last one is intentionally overliteral to show
the "even if".)

