Japanese and non-Japanese perceptions of Japanese communication

Abstract

Perceptions of the communicative style of different languages can influence the way in which non-native speakers and native speakers of a particular language interact. For example, second-language learners of Japanese often believe that using a lot of honorifics (keigo) to introduce themselves to other students at universities in Japan is more polite. However, since Japanese students themselves tend to use only a limited degree of honorifics in this kind of situation, foreign students can end up conveying an impression of overpoliteness or even aloofness (Ohashi et al 1992). The first step in dealing with these kinds of issues in Japanese language education is to determine what kinds of perceptions are held by Japanese and non-Japanese in regards to Japanese communication.