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Ambiguity in Japan

Ambiguity in Japan. 曖昧 ( Aimai). Ambiguity. More than one intended meaning Japanese word: Aimai 　（ あいまい）. Reasons for Being Ambiguous. To Promote Harmony To Be Polite To Be Humble To Be Indirect. To Promote Harmony. Geographical Influence. Desire to Preserve Positive Reputations.

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Ambiguity in Japan

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  1. Ambiguity in Japan 曖昧 (Aimai)

  2. Ambiguity More than one intended meaning Japanese word: Aimai　（あいまい）

  3. Reasons for Being Ambiguous • To Promote Harmony • To Be Polite • To Be Humble • To Be Indirect

  4. To Promote Harmony Geographical Influence Desire to Preserve Positive Reputations

  5. To Be Polite (i.e.) Declining Offers Chotto （ちょっと…） = Well… Demo (でも…） = But… Kangaete-Okimasu　(考えておきます） 　　　　　　　　　　　=I will think about it

  6. To Be Humble (i.e.) How did you do on your exam? ma-ma （まあまあ） = Not so bad

  7. To Be Indirect “Are you going home for holiday?” “Have you completed your graduation thesis?” Ichio （いちおう） = For the time being Indirect way of expressing “Yes”

  8. Ambiguous v.s. Assertive Ambiguous Assertive Socially Positive Socially Negative

  9. Expressing Genuine (?) Interest So desu ka…(Is that so…?) So desu ne…(I agree..)

  10. Expressing Disagreement Eeeh? mmmh? Disagreement = Rejecting the Person

  11. Ambiguous v.s. Assertive Being Assertive in Japan Means: • Rude • Show Off Socially Negative • Direct • Childish

  12. Impacts on Cross-Cultural Communication • Ambiguity creates a false image about Japanese as shy • Confusion due to ambiguous way to disagree • Misunderstandings due to Japanese inability to say ‘No’

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