Powerpoint presentation
ibrhim4
script.docxIbrohim Script BCT
The Japanese Language (Verbal)
The official language of Japan is Japanese. Japanese is the sixth most spoken language in the world, with over 99% percent of the country's population using it.
Dialects are used in areas, particularly in Kyoto and Osaka, but standard Japanese, based on the speech of Tokyo, has become more popular through the use of television, radio and movies.
NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Japanese language might seem aggressive to the people who cannot speak it but it is actually one of the most polite languages in the world. Japanese try to be even more polite with non verbal communication which is a big part of the Japanese communication.
The Japanese believe that turning down someone's request causes embarrassment and loss of face to the other person. So in a business environment, If the request cannot be agreed to, they will say, 'it's inconvenient' or 'it's under consideration'. Instead of giving a straightforward “no” answer.
Face is a mark of personal dignity and means having high status with one's peers. The Japanese will try never to do anything to cause loss of face. For example, they do not openly criticize, insult, or put anyone on-the-spot.
Since the Japanese strive for harmony and are group dependent, they rely on facial expression, tone of voice and posture to tell them what someone feels. They often trust non-verbal messages more than the spoken word as words can have several meanings. This tells how important the non verbal communication is in Japan.
Expressions to watch out for include inhaling through clenched teeth, tilting the head, scratching the back of the head, and scratching the eyebrow.Frowning is also a serious matter in a conversation. Frowning while someone is speaking is interpreted as a sign of disagreement. However most Japanese maintain an impassive expression when speaking.
It is considered disrespectful to stare into another person's eyes, particularly those of a person who is senior to you because of age or status. In crowded situations the Japanese avoid eye contact to give themselves privacy.
Non-verbal communication is so vital that there is a book for 'gaijins' (foreigners) on how to interpret the signs.
Meeting Etiquette
Greetings in Japan are very formal and ritualized. It is important to show the correct amount of respect and deference to someone based upon their status relative to your own. . If at all possible, wait to be introduced. It can be seen as impolite to introduce yourself, even in a large gathering.While foreigners are expected to shake hands, the traditional form of greeting is the bow. How far you bow depends upon your relationship to the other person as well as the situation. The deeper you bow, the more respect you show. A foreign visitor ('gaijin') may bow the head slightly, since no one expects foreigners to generally understand the subtle nuances of bowing.
Japanese Superstition
Folk wisdom
If you play with fire, you will wet your bed. (It makes children become aware of the danger of fire.)
If you rest just after eating, you will become a cow/pig/elephant. (This means not to be lazy
If you whistle or play a flute at night, snakes will come to you. (This means not to bother your neighbours)
The first dream of a new year will come true
Linguistic superstition
If a funeral hearse drives past, you must hide your thumb in a fist. This is because the Japanese word for thumb literally translates as "parent-finger" and hiding it is considered protection for your parent. If you don't, your parent will die.
Numbers
There are several unlucky numbers in Japanese. Traditionally, 4 and 9 are unlucky. Four is sometimes pronounced shi, which is also the word for death.[4] Nine is also sometimes pronounced ku, which can mean suffering. Because of these unlucky numbers, sometimes levels or rooms with 4 or 9 in them don't exist in hospitals or hotels.
Death and the supernatural
You should never sleep with your head in North position or you will have a short life (this is the way a body is laid out at funeral).
Chopsticks should not be stuck upright into food, especially rice. Chopsticks are only stuck upright into rice in the bowl on the altar at a funeral.
Cutting your fingernails or toenails at night is bad luck. If you do so, it is believed that you will not be with your parents at their deathbed
You should never write a person's name in red ink. This is due to names on graves being red
Animals
Use of the ManekiNeko or "lucky cat". Many businesses such as shops or restaurants have figures of such beckoning cats. These are considered to be lucky and bring in money and fortune
If you see a spider in the morning, it means good luck so you shouldn't kill it, but if you see one at night, it means bad luck so you can kill it.
If a black cat crosses your path, something bad will happen.
Silence in Japanese culture.
In times of stress or difficulty during a meeting, the Japanese will often resort to silence in order to release the tension in the room and allow people to move away from the area of difficulty (to preserve harmony which is tantamount). Unfortunately many westerners are extremely uncomfortable with silence in meetings and feel the need to fill the silence with more discussion over the issue the Japanese would rather avoid. (http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/japanese-business-communication-style.html )
Silence during meetings is not uncommon, even accompanied by closed eyes. While in the West, such a turn of events would signify the meeting is going rather badly, in Japan this indicates a period of reflection; do not interrupt or feel the need to speak and fill the silence.
