How Japanese People Speak

Verbal communication is closely linked to the culture of the country and can vary greatly between different societies. There is no correct or incorrect form of verbal communication, each society is based on different values ​​and different proportions that forge the way of communicating, for this reason it is a good idea to know the differences to improve communication between people from these different communities. Undoubtedly, verbal communication in Japan has a form, intention and time, different from what we are used to in many Western countries, creating some misunderstandings that we could avoid with a little knowledge beforehand.

Indirect communication

A large part of verbal communication in Japan is usually indirect. There may be ambiguity when answering a question or giving an opinion, this to maintain harmony, prevent exposing oneself or the interlocutor, or out of simple kindness. People are very attentive to non-verbal signals that are very common in Japan (body language, posture, expressions or tone of voice) as these can change the meaning of the conversation. Disagreements that need to be discussed will normally be done in private and in a timely manner.

Some of the indirect communication is also reflected in negative opinions or declining proposals. It is common that before declining an invitation there is some hesitation to continue with a response that may seem ambiguous to us. This hesitation, which can be in posture, tone or choice of words, can be a clear indicator of the desire to decline the invitation, and it is hoped that the interlocutor understands it so that his reaction helps to alleviate the moment of discomfort. This does not mean that every time you show doubt or give an ambiguous answer, you want to decline, as it may be a sincere doubt.

The silence

Silence is also part of verbal communication, as interrupting another person while they are speaking is considered wrong. Therefore, remaining silent during a conversation is something frequent, where even moments in which both interlocutors are silent is usually the norm, since this allows thinking about the answer or proposal in an attentive way. This tends to confuse people from other countries a lot, since these moments of silence can be relatively long and often with little non-verbal expression.

Aizuki

There is something called aizuchi in Japanese, which would be like interjections in communication. They are not understood as interruptions but as indicators that you are listening to your interlocutor very carefully. Aizuchi are particularly important in situations where it is not possible to see the other’s posture or gestures, such as when talking on the phone. There are several types of aizuchi that are used depending on the context and status of the interlocutor. There are aizuchi that indicate “ to agree ”, such as the sound “ un ”, “ ne ” and “ ee ”, or phrases such as “ hai ” (yes), “ sou desu ne ” (that’s right, right?) and “ sugoi ” (very informal and casual to indicate amazement) Aizuchi are usually accompanied by a slight nod of the head. Others may indicate surprise such as “ eeeee? ” or phrases like “ honto desu ka? ” (seriously?), “ maji ka? ” (seriously?” but very informal)

Modesty

Another factor in verbal communication is Humility and Compliments. Humility is highly valued in Japanese culture, which leads to a tendency for people to deny compliments they receive. At the same time, a large number of compliments can result in the discomfort of your interlocutor. On the contrary, accepting compliments immediately, without hesitation, can come off as smug or conceited.

Formal language or Keigo

There is another very important point in verbal communication in Japan, which reflects the position or status of the interlocutors, which can range from the most casual (talking to small children) to the most formal (talking to the Emperor).

When speaking with people of the same or lower status, there is hardly any risk of making mistakes since very simple forms of daily use of the language are used. Also, your interlocutor will not be offended if you use a more formal way, it will just seem strange to him. On the other hand, using casual language with people you should use formal language with can result in very awkward situations or even something negative for your company. So it is more important to understand when to use formal modes than informal ones.

The formal mode is called Keigo, in which several different levels of respect, formality, and courtesy are used. There are 3 general categories of keigo, each of which has its own function and level of formalism.

Sonkeigo , refers to respectful language, commonly used to speak to your superiors at work, teachers, doctors, etc.

Kensongo , refers to humble language, commonly used to “ downgrade ” oneself or another person in your group, for example when introducing your company to a client.

Teineigo , refers to the gentile language. This is usually more general, it can be used for oneself or to refer to other people. This type of language does not imply any kind of respect or particular humility, but to show basic respect of someone with whom you are not so familiar.

In all cases, direct experience and detailed observation are very important, so you have to have a lot of patience with yourself and accept that making mistakes is a fundamental part of any learning process. We can rest assured that our Japanese interlocutors will at least be patient and understanding of our mistakes, so the learning process can be a positive and enriching experience.