Hello!
Welcome to the window of Slow Life [Dreams and Hopes]!
Slow Life is fun and happiness feeling! [Concept]
I am the administrator of this blog.
Please take your time to read through it.
Have you ever had an experience like this?
- A foreigner looks you in the eye when talking to you, but you just look away!
- I’m not good at looking the other person in the eye when talking to someone!
- I’m scared of silence when talking to a foreigner, and I can’t calm down!
- I don’t know where to start when learning English conversation!
But don’t worry.
By reading this blog post, you will understand the following:
- You will understand the difference in communication styles due to cultural differences!
- You will get hints for smooth communication between different cultures!
- You will understand the difference in thinking between Japanese and English!
- You will understand how to respond in business situations!
This blog is full of information that you can’t get anywhere else.
Please take your time and enjoy it.
[Japanese translation page]
[Previous article]
[Next article]
Introduction
Japan is known as a “high-context culture.”
High-context culture refers to a culture with a unique communication style that has been developed over a long history.
In this culture, it is more important to understand the other person’s intentions from the atmosphere of the place, the other person’s facial expressions, and gestures than the words themselves.
For example, in Japan, there is a word “isshin denshin,” which means that you can communicate with each other without saying anything, and it represents a unique Japanese culture that emphasizes implicit understanding.
In this high-context culture, the hidden meaning behind the words and the nuances often change greatly depending on the situation.
For example, when the word “Ii desu ne” is used in a conversation, it can be difficult to judge whether the person truly agrees or mildly disagrees, depending on the context and the relationship with the other person.
In such situations, the ability to read the other person’s facial expressions and tone of voice is required.
On the other hand, Western countries are known as “low-context cultures.”
Low-context cultures are relatively new cultures and are characterized by a communication style that places emphasis on the words themselves.
In this culture, it is very important to express one’s opinions and intentions clearly and logically.
For example, in business situations, people try to express their opinions to the other person in clear words and leave no room for misunderstanding.
Ambiguous expressions are avoided, and if there is a possibility of misunderstanding, confirmation and explanation are made on the spot.
English is one of the languages that symbolize low-context cultures.
In English, words and grammar are strictly distinguished, and it is required to convey the meaning of words accurately.
For example, in contracts and business documents, all wording must be clear and specific, and ambiguity is almost always not allowed.
This helps to minimize any discrepancies in perception with the other party.
In this way, there are significant differences in communication styles and values between high-context and low-context cultures.
In high-context cultures, it is expected to understand the other person’s intentions without them having to say them, whereas in low-context cultures, it is important to communicate clearly with words.
Understanding this cultural difference is very useful for smooth communication between different cultures.
Knowing the cultural background will help you interact with others more effectively and avoid misunderstandings and friction.
What is High-Context Culture?
A high-context culture is a culture in which not only words but also other elements play a major role in communication.
In this culture, it is not enough to simply exchange words; it is necessary to comprehensively grasp the hidden meaning behind the words, the speaker’s facial expression, tone of voice, and even the atmosphere and situation of the place.
Not only words but also various non-verbal elements play an important role in communication.
For example, in Japan there is an expression “reading the atmosphere.”
This refers to the ability to understand what the other person is thinking or the situation of the place without them saying anything.
It is required to take appropriate action in the situation based on the atmosphere and situation that are not clearly stated in words but can be sensed somehow, as well as the facial expressions and attitudes of others.
This is a perfect example of a high-context culture.
In Japanese society, direct expressions are often avoided, and a culture of consideration not to hurt others is deeply rooted.
Therefore, it is important to be able to read the intentions and feelings of others that are not expressed in words.
For example, in a business setting, if a boss says to a subordinate, “Let’s think about it a bit more,” this is not just a suggestion, but may also mean, “The content is still insufficient, so more improvement is needed.”
In this way, it is necessary to understand not only the superficial meaning of the words, but also the intention and nuance behind them.
In addition, non-verbal communication is very important in high-context cultures.
The time of eye contact, tone of voice, and even pauses are all considered part of the message you want to convey.
For example, staring into someone’s eyes can be used to convey strong will and emotion, while looking away can show respect and humility.
In such high-context cultures, you need to be able to understand the whole of communication, not just the words.
In order to accurately grasp the other person’s intentions, it is important to have a deep understanding of the background and context and respond accordingly.
By understanding this cultural background, you will be able to understand the Japanese communication style more deeply and interact more effectively.
In short, in high-context cultures, the ability to read the meaning behind words is extremely important.
Rather than simply listening to the words, you are required to think deeply about the situation in which the words were spoken and the speaker’s intentions in order to move forward with communication.
What is a low-context culture?
A low-context culture is a culture in which words themselves play a very important role in communication.
In this culture, it is important to clarify the meaning of words and convey them accurately.
It is necessary to clearly understand the meaning of the words themselves and communicate in a way that does not cause misunderstandings.
For example, in Western countries such as the United States, it is common for contracts and transaction terms to be documented in detail in business and daily life.
Contracts are characterized by containing specific details down to the smallest detail, and the meaning of each clause is clearly stated.
Behind this is a cultural idea of accurately understanding the meaning of words and ensuring that their meaning does not change depending on the situation.
In low-context cultures, it is not preferable for words to be conveyed with ambiguous meanings.
Therefore, messages to be conveyed to the other party are expressed as clearly and specifically as possible.
For example, in business meetings and negotiations, it is necessary to convey one’s opinions and requests accurately.
If there is any ambiguity in the words, misunderstandings and troubles may occur later, so it is important to clarify all conditions from the beginning and have both parties on the same understanding.
Furthermore, in low-context cultures, documentation is extremely important.
All transactions and promises, such as contracts, agreements, and business plans, are left in writing, and both parties act based on them.
For example, if the terms of a transaction are changed, they are always confirmed in writing.
Oral agreements and communications are not trusted, and the purpose is to prevent future disputes by recording all agreements in writing.
In such low-context cultures, great care is taken in the selection of grammar and vocabulary to accurately convey the meaning of words.
For example, legal documents and technical manuals require the use of technical terms accurately, and the meaning is written so that there is no room for other interpretations.
In addition, expressions used in communication are chosen to be as clear and specific as possible.
Furthermore, in low-context cultures, it is also important to check whether communication with the other party is sufficient.
When communicating, questions and confirmations are frequently made to seek the other party’s understanding, and efforts are made to prevent misunderstandings.
Through such confirmation work, it is confirmed that both parties have the same understanding, improving the quality of communication.
In conclusion, a low-context culture is one in which clarifying the meaning of words and conveying them accurately is the basis of communication.
Differences Between Japanese and English
Japanese and English are not just different languages, but also have big differences in the cultural backgrounds and communication styles in which they are rooted.
Japanese is said to be a language suited to high-context cultures, and words are only a part of communication.
In other words, it is very important not only to consider the surface meaning of words, but also to consider the hidden intentions behind the words and how nuances change depending on the situation.
For example, Japanese has a wealth of onomatopoeias (sound-like words and mimetic words) such as “dondon” and “girigiri,” and these words can have various meanings depending on the context.
There are also many homonyms and ambiguous expressions, which elicit different interpretations depending on the context and situation.
For example, if a boss says “Let’s consider it” in a meeting, it does not just mean to consider it, but may also include the implicit understanding that “we should move forward with this proposal in a positive manner.”
Another characteristic of Japanese is that it has many ambiguous expressions that lack specificity.
If a friend says, “Let’s go out for dinner sometime,” they may not be trying to decide on a specific date and place, but may simply be enjoying the atmosphere of the moment.
In contrast, if you say “Let’s have dinner next week” in English, it is often a statement that assumes that the date and place will actually be decided, and is intended to convey a clear intention to the other person.
In addition, Japanese often uses ambiguous and multi-layered expressions such as “yoroshiku onegaishimasu.”
This phrase expresses respect and a request to the other person, but its meaning can change greatly depending on the context and situation.
In the workplace, it can be more than just a request, but can also include a substantive request or instruction, and in everyday life it can also mean gratitude or a greeting.
On the other hand, in English-speaking countries, which are low-context cultures, language is used as a tool to clearly and directly express intentions.
The meanings of English words are clearly defined, their meanings rarely change significantly depending on the context, and the words themselves play a central role in communication.
For example, in a business setting, the phrase “I’ll consider it” means “I will give positive consideration to the proposal,” avoiding ambiguity and clearly conveying your intentions to the other person.
In this way, the differences between Japanese and English are not just differences in language structure, but also reflect differences in communication styles rooted in each culture.
By understanding the high-context characteristics of Japanese, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the subtle nuances and unspoken understandings in Japanese culture.
Also, by knowing the low-context characteristics of English, you will be able to acquire the skills to communicate clearly and efficiently.
Understanding these differences is very important for smooth intercultural communication.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored in detail the most efficient way to learn English grammar and the importance of understanding cultural background.
In particular, we have emphasized how important it is to understand the culture of the other person when learning a language.
When learning English, it is necessary to deepen your understanding of the entire culture in which the language is used, rather than simply memorizing words and grammar.
First of all, it is essential to recognize cultural differences in order to be successful in learning English.
In particular, the difference between high and low context has a significant impact on communication style.
In high-context cultures, non-verbal elements are emphasized, and ambiguous expressions and tacit understandings have a lot of meaning, whereas in low-context cultures, the words themselves are emphasized and clear intentions are required.
Japanese is rooted in high-context cultures, and the meanings that are not apparent on the surface of words and the nuances often change depending on the situation at hand.
For example, the Japanese expression “I will consider it” can mean “I will move forward positively” depending on the situation.
Also, the phrase “Let’s go out to eat next time” is sometimes used as a simple expression of intention, rather than a concrete plan.
In contrast, English is based on a low-context culture, where the words themselves are important.
In English, direct expressions that do not depend on the context are preferred, and communication through words is emphasized.
For example, the expression “I’ll consider it” clearly conveys the intention of “I will seriously consider the proposal.”
Finally, let’s summarize the points of this article.
・The starting point of language learning
When learning a language, start by understanding the cultural background in which the language is used.
Knowing the other person’s culture will enable more effective communication.
・The difference between high context and low context
There is a difference between high-context and low-context cultures in Japan and the United States.
Japan emphasizes context and tacit understanding, while the United States values clear and direct communication.
・Characteristics of Japanese
In Japanese, information is often conveyed implicitly, and elements other than words are important. The meaning of words can change significantly depending on the context and situation.
・Characteristics of English
In English, the words themselves are important, and information is conveyed explicitly. The meaning rarely changes depending on the situation, so clear and direct communication is required.
・Differences in business meetings
In Japanese business meetings, you are expected to read the mood and sense the opinions and feelings of other members.
In contrast, in American business meetings, direct and clear communication is emphasized.
If you understand these points and apply them to your English studies, you will be able to study more effectively.
In addition, deepening your understanding of different cultures will enable you to communicate smoothly in business and everyday life.
