SIETAR-Kansai - Past Monthly Programs

October 2003
Back channel behaviors by Korean and Japanese

Date:
October 19 (Sunday), 2003 2:00pm-4:00pm

Presenter:
Ms. Jinyoung KIM
Graduate School of Cultural Studies and Human Science, Kobe University

Place:
Takatsuki Shogai Gakushu Center, 3F, Room 1
Tel: 072-674-7700
10min. walk from the south exit of JR Takatsuki Station, or Hankyu Takatsuki city station

Fee:
500 yen for members
500 yen for students
1000 yen for non-members

Language:
Japanese

Description of the Presentation:
It is often said that Japanese make frequent use of back channels. Why is this so? Based on research about the comparison between Japanese and Americans, several reasons are suggested, such as the Japanese unique conversation style called “ Kyowa,” the language used, and Japanese greeting behavior. Since the Japanese grammatical structure is similar to that of Korean, these back channel behaviors will be compared.

Nodding is included as one type of back channel behavior. However, the nodding which appeared in the Japanese conversation tended to be found more from the speaker rather than the listener. Thus, it is difficult to explain the nodding as a back channel which has the general function of sending signals of continuing the talk, showing attention to the speaker, and demonstrating an understanding of the content. It suggests that there are other functions. In this presentation, the presenter will discuss Korean and Japanese nodding and the influence of their frequencies on the social relations of the participants.

Profile of the Presenter:
Ms. Jinyoung KIM is a doctoral candidate at the Graduate School of Cultural Studies and Human Science, Kobe University where she is majoring in Nonverbal Communication. In 1996 she graduated from the faculty of literature of HongIk University in Korea and worked at Munhwa Broadcasting Corp. In 1998, she came to Japan and enrolled in Kobe University in the following year. From 2001, she started to teach Korean at high schools in Kobe, has been giving lectures to introduce Korean culture and has worked as an interpreter for one of Kobe’s restoration projects. In 2002 she was a reporter for a Korean newspaper for the World Cup Series. From 2003, she became a part-time lecturer at Kansai University of International Studies where she teaches psychology.

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