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 PreservePositive Reputations
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
To Be Humble
(i.e.) How did you do on your exam?
ma-ma (まあまあ) = Not so bad
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”
Ambiguous v.s. Assertive
Ambiguous Assertive
Socially Positive Socially Negative
Expressing Genuine (?) Interest
So desu ka…(Is that so…?)
So desu ne…(I agree..)
Expressing Disagreement
Eeeh? mmmh?
Disagreement= Rejecting the Person
Ambiguous v.s. Assertive
Being Assertive in Japan Means:
Rude Show Off Socially Negative Direct Childish
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’