Comparative Analysis of Norm Awareness and Interpersonal Relations between Japanese Businesspeople Living in Japan and Western Countries

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Other Title
  • 日本人会社員の規範意識と人間関係 : 英語圏在住日本人と日本在住日本人による英語発話の対照分析
  • ニホンジン ガイシャイン ノ キハン イシキ ト ニンゲン カンケイ : エイゴケン ザイジュウ ニホンジン ト ニホン ザイジュウ ニホンジン ニ ヨル エイゴ ハツワ ノ タイショウ ブンセキ

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In Yotsuya (2021), I conducted a comparative study of politeness between Japanese and English when making light- or heavy-load requests. Japanese utterances were collected from native Japanese speakers, and English utterances from native English speakers. I found significant differences between English and Japanese in terms of refusing heavy-load requests. However, since Japanese people may communicate in English at work, miscommunication is possible. Therefore, the present study focuses on English utterances by Japanese English speakers, investigating differences between Japanese living in Japan (JJ) and Japanese living in Western countries (JW). Specifically, the study examines (1) how they respond to heavy-load requests and (2) whether differences in activity bases affect responses. Additionally, the study explores whether normative consciousness affects human relations. The results show that JJ use SF for “Background Reasons” and JW use SF for “Intentional Reasons” to reject heavy-load requests. In other words, compared to JJ, JW tend to use a higher degree of intrusion into the interlocutor’s domain, employing PPS to get closer to the interlocutor. Both groups show strong normative consciousness. However, JJ are at risk of damaging relationships due to their discomfort with such requests, while JW try to maintain the personal relationship they built. Thus, we can conclude that, while both groups display normative consciousness, JW tend to prioritize maintaining personal relationships, whereas JJ tend to prioritize belonging to the organization.

Journal

  • 国際日本学

    国際日本学 21 97-120, 2024-02-10

    法政大学国際日本学研究所

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