Japanese Communication: Language and Thought in Context

2 Relationality and Communication

17 2 Relationality and Communication Relationality as Context Discussion of the samurai and the American cowboy, who are part myth and part reality, offers a background from which to work toward an initial understanding of language and thought in Japan. The ambivalent feelings the samurai and the cowboy hold toward self and society can be sorted out by understanding the kind of relationality adopted in the two societies. “Relationality” refers to the reciprocal influence exerted by two different elements that are reflexively characterized by each other. More specifically, it refers to the mutual relationship that language—as well as thought— comes into contact with in sociocultural and situational contexts. For example, linguistic strategies and social context are interrelated ; the use of linguistic expressions (e.g., politeness strategies) is determined in part by the context in which they are used. In turn, the use of linguistic expressions itself determines in part the changing and mutually renewing social context. By recognizing this influence of relationality in communication involving two or more parties, one is able to focus on its type, its frequency, and its relative importance in a particular speech community. Obviously, every language operates in relation to its context. Characteristics of Japanese language and thought, however , reveal themselves most clearly when they are examined in terms of the mutual influence they share with the social context. The dynamic force of relationality operates on various levels within language, thought, culture, and society, as well as among 18 The Context of Japanese Communication diverse elements across these domains. I think that many sociocultural and communication-related characteristics of Japan (particularly in contrast with those of the United States) can be comprehended in terms of differences in the role of relationality observed in different societies. Japanese society and culture cannot be directly characterized in terms of the labels often attached to them, such as Japanese “group” as opposed to American “individual.” Rather, as we saw in the mythical images of the samurai and the cowboy, both desire social integration and independence, but with a different orientation and emphasis. Differences between Japan and the United States become apparent in how one understands and comes to terms with the relationship between self and society. The starting point for the Japanese experience lies in society, while the starting point for Americans lies in the concept of self. By “starting point” I mean the primary and deep-rooted self-concept one is encouraged to identify with early in life. In Japan, social accommodation, responsiveness, and cooperation are the dominant , although not the only, training one receives in the socialization process. The relationship one identifies as one’s psychological foundation is based on, anchored to, and defined in relation to society . The Japanese, however, express individuality more as they mature and achieve comfort within society. The direction of opposing forces between society and self in Japan is from-society-to-self, that is, society-relational. For Americans, the concept of self is fundamental. Socialization presupposes social relationships with others in society, but more importance is placed on exercising individuality than on learning to accommodate others. This tendency can be labeled from-self-tosociety , that is, self-relational. A note of caution should be sounded here. What I describe are general tendencies that influence the behavior of members of the speech community as a whole. The prototypical American I discuss may prove to be most characteristic of the middle-class American with a European cultural background. Given the diversity of contemporary Japanese society, and even more of American society, however, one must keep in mind that no description of a group of people can completely escape overgeneralization. Still, Japanese and Americans seem to find themselves holding opposing values from the beginning as they both struggle toward what turn out to Relationality and Communication 19 be opposing goals. The Japanese are more likely to be trapped in the self-imposed concept of society; Americans are more likely to be shackled by faith in self. Yet we all find some balance between these opposing forces. The relationship between self and society characterized here can shed light on various aspects of Japanese life. No one is completely separated from society. Human existence is partially defined by it, and society, in turn, is partially defined by its constituents. Self and society feed on each other, define each other, contradict each other—and yet always coexist. These associations create the different kinds of...