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Communication for all cultures and the Cyber World
After spending a healthy period residing in Japan, one thing that struck me was the outstanding ability of Japanese in the art of communication.
Is this easier for Japanese people because they simply have the right single words and sayings and they just know when and where to use them, or does this involve extra stress with an instruction like feeling? Western cultures are all so different and each individual almost always says something different to the next. For example, for hello we may say. Good day, Hi, What's new, How are you going, etc., whereas the Japanese seem to have the correct same words for each and all.. I also find that Western people, certainly Australian's and I am guessing "US" to, we tend to listen off the top of our heads, and quite often, we don't hear whole senetences, but rather cut people off by turning our heads and saying Yeah. I found Japanese we always listen and think, or at least appear to be. Is this for real or is it just a style? What does all this mean? Are humans failing in face to face communication in the real world? Are we failing communication in the Cyberworld? Are we failing in both worlds, or is one successful? |
Communication is not only sending messages but also including dependence on the environment.
With large common environment shared, people can communicate with less words. It would be what happens in communication of Japanese. Are you aware that Japanese talker often confirms the common environment with the listner saying "ne?", "desho?" ? The characteristics of Japanese communication (or Japanese language at the same time) is mutual reliance, which makes miss-understanding at the communication with foreign people. |
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My little two year old Kai is currently going through a 'Ne' stage! Messy ne! Oishi ne! Cold ne! Hungry ne! Gone ne! Super cute, just that I am now going to bed everynight with the word 'Ne' in my head! I always took this as an acknowledgement which I think shows the highest standard of communication. Many Western people fail in this respect, and I have often heard from Japanese directly that they are not good communicators which I disagree with. I think the Western world could learn a lot from Japan. |
You are asking a lot of questions here.
I'd not go as far as saying that japanese are so much better at communication than westerners. My opinion is that you might have fell in love with Japan. For what I know, they doesn't listen better than anyone. そう... そうです そうですか そうですね those are pretty much the "yeah.. (i don't care) we commonly hear in english. |
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I was trapped with a good group of expats and we had a ball. I also made a few good JP friends, although having a son who is half Japanese I guess could also be having an influence;) |
You are talking about formal or informal situations ?
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You can see it in Japanese deplomacy achievements. Quote:
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It's not different from when the listener say "Oh yeah" here in the West. ozkai was saying that japaneses always seems to listen and think about what you are saying, which is not more true than any other cultures. You say japaneses are good with japanese communication but bad at westerner(english) communication. We could say that english are good with english communication but bad at japanese comm. What I think is formidable is the quality of formal situations in japanese. |
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Now having a Korean partner and dealing with her friends over for dinners, I can tell you that their listening skills are terrible. Australian friends, it really depends on who, as many of my friends are totally different. No "rule" of thumb as far as listening goes, and the "Yeah-Yeah" thing to me is a poor sign of listening. For a start, it's not even a correct English word! Now If I was to have a group of Japanese friends over, the conversation would feel totally different and their would be a strong feeling of understanding and warmth in the air. The communication just feels "right", I don't care if it is on the outside or in, it works and feels comfortable for all. Nothing against anything here, but I do admire and envy Japanese and the way they communicate. My only disagreement is that I do think most Japanese communicate well in English with non Japanese, and that includes broken English. Japanese more often than not come accross extremely well and polite, even with limited English vocabulary. They will usually appear very conscious of their surroundings, and will respond likewise with utmost respect and consideration treading very cautiously in what they say, how they respond and that definitely shows to the native listener. Their are a few differences, one being why the cleaners at Cairns airport cannot understand why the men will always place a piece of paper towel of the exit door handle of the rest room. I mean it's previous damn obvious isn't it.. I go to a few local Japanese restaurants here twice a week, sometimes with Japanese friends and I enjoy evrything Japanese. Cairns is a small tourist place, also popular for students and working holiday visa makers from Japan, although we now have a fairly healthy Japanese population which I think will keep increasing. Just around the corner we have a Japanese Juku. Go to the main city ANZ bank here, four Japanese girls, three Koreans, and two Aussie staff ratio.. One thing that all my Korean and Japanese friends say is that they are amazed how well I fit in with Asian culture, although I believe in most ways that my communciation actions and style were learnt from Japan as beforehand, I was a typical Aussie surfer that just did not listen or understand properly. Don't get me wrong here.. I'm in no way a die hard "I want to be Japanese person", but rather, a respecting Australian observer that envy the culture. I had an Aussie friend in Japan, and if you ask me, he lost the plot staying their forever with his wife who was also Japanese, and he was just a nice quiet guy who I guess felt popular in Japan and was willing to adopt the culture. I would not do that and I am Aussie born, although not 100% bred with British parents. I come from both sides of the fence, and can now be respecting for my son who is a touch of all:) Hope all this makes sense. |
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What are you talking about? 1) Communication between Japanese and Japanese in Japanese 2) Communication between Japanese and westerner in English 3) Communication between Japanese and westerner in Japanese 4) Communication between Japanese and you in English 5) Communication between Japanese and you in Japanese Japanese people tend to agree to the talker too easily. It would be more likey when the Japanese feel trouble talking/listening in foreign languege. It depends on case by case for the personality and language skill. >You say japaneses are good with japanese communication but bad at westerner(english) communication. >We could say that english are good with english communication but bad at japanese comm. Of course you are right. however, the issue in this thread is what will happen when international communication is required. >What I think is formidable is the quality of formal situations in japanese. Sorry, I can not catch you yet and I must leave now. |
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I've read your post and you indeed make sense.
But I just can't agree with you. There is too much generalities in such statements. You talk about huge populations (there is around 127mil japaneses) as being this or that but you base your judgements on very small subset. I'm not a big fan of labelling such huge population as being this or that. But I do respect your opinion. Japanese is indeed a fascinating culture and it's exactly for that reason I'm going in Japan next week. But like I said, Japan is not just one big box on which you can write "Good Listener" on it. |
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Language makes culture and culture makes language. |
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Dude, that was hilarous !!!! :D You really are a funny guy! :vsign: |
It's kinda ironic, it's a thread about communication and right now we fail to understand each others.
I'll take your initial post and do like you did previously : Quote:
Is it each individuals ability to communicate that astonish you or the japanese language in general ? Quote:
Actually, the different level of politeness and formalities can make it even more diversified than other languages. Of course, the more formal you get, the more of a "standard" pattern you get as there is less and less place for diversity. Quote:
Let's stick to American culture, that would be much more simple. Quote:
Maybe you feel like japanese always use the same correct words because you always had to deal with them in formal situations. If you talk with youngs persons in informal situations, you will hear a vast varieties of different expressions for greetings as well. Quote:
I know many people who listen perfectly to what I have to say and reply accordingly. It's different for each individuals and each situations. Quote:
One point you should consider is that you are a foreigner. They might make extraordinary efforts to make you feel at ease or whatever. A foreigner dealing with locals is different from a local dealing with other locals. Quote:
As a foreigner, the common japanese can perceive you as being "a guest of Japan" and treat you that way. The more you establish and the less this perception will be true. Quote:
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But the question would be : "we would be failing compared to what standards ?" We are the creatures with the best communication skills of the planet. We have no superiors models. |
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Failing the communication, when are you off to Japan? |
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I'm off this monday, for 1 month. How long did you stay ? |
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So what were you doing ? Teaching english ? |
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Really?
I'd love to see some pictures... |
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Go to this website: 3rd flash photo with a red shirt on next to Allan. http://www.kyoshin.co.jp/school/uc/index.html the other schools I worked at don't have websites. Let me know how much you really want to see them and I will be more than happy to take digital photos of the paper photos for you. |
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Inlingua International School of Languages Bangkok Thailand John told me my photos are on but you will have to dig deep to find them. They are possibly on the Swiss website head branch. |
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It's about all and any cultures.. |
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