Yamagata JALT:

Basic Cultural Concepts of Japanese and American Communication: Differences that Matter in Cross-Cultural Communication

Date: Saturday, September 3rd, 2005 Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Speaker: Steve Ryan

Description:
This presentation will concern the basic culturally based concepts of American and Japanese communication patterns. Of particular interest will be the misunderstandings resulting from unrecognized culture-specific background knowledge that both groups need to communicate smoothly. After comparing each culture's top values, listeners will be given short cross-cultural conversations and be asked to give their ideas of what culture-specific communication problems may exist. Because this topic is within the field of Intercultural Communication, we are mainly interested in the differences in communication patterns and why each culture values something more or less than the other. The overall goal of Intercultural Communication is to improve cross-cultural communication to bring about peaceful and productive relationships with people from different cultures. It is hoped that those in attendance will actively participate to make the presentation interactive.

Stephen B. Ryan is an assistant professor at Yamagata University. He is a permanent resident of Japan and his areas of interest concern Intercultural Communication and training.

Organization: Yamagata Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (Yamagata JALT)

Cost: JALT Members: free
Non-members: 800 yen

Venue: Yamagata Kajo Kominkan Sogo Gakushu Center, Josaimachi 2-chome, 2-15, Tel. 0236-45-6163

Location: Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

Contact Yamagata JALT

Website: jalt.org/groups/chapters/yamagata