An Introduction to The National Language Research Institute:
A Sketch of its Achievements
Third Edition(1988)/
HTML Version(1997)
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II.1.17 A Contrastive Study of Japanese and German
Linguistic Behaviour
(Report 80, 1984. 386 pages)
This is a report of the results of a survey conducted from a
contrastive and sociolinguistic point of view for the
purpose of learning more about the differences in the
linguistic behaviour patterns of Japanese and Germans (and
foreigners in Japan). Previously, comparative and
contrastive descriptions of the patterns of linguistic (and
non-verbal) behaviour were based on individual observation,
written documentation, etc. However, the present research
investigated these issues through an objective survey of the
actual situation. This was the first attempt at a survey of
this kind at the National Language Research Institute and there
have been few previous studies like it.
The present survey was carried out cooperatively by the
Centre for Teaching of Japanese as a Foreign Language and the
Department of Language Behaviour during the 5 years starting in
the 1977 fiscal year, in West Germany (1977-1979 fiscal
years) and Japan (1979-1981 fiscal years). During that
time, we received cooperation principally from the West
German Institute for German Language(Institute fu~r Deutche
Sprache) and also from many other organizations and individuals.
The framework and contents of the present report are as
follows.
Chapter 1 Justification and Methodology of the
Investigation (NOMOTO, HAYASI, EGAWA): We indicated the
objectives, methods, particulars related to the background and
development of this survey, and special attributes of the
informants. The informants consisted of 1,098 Japanese, 323
Germans and 384 (English-speaking) foreigners in Japan.
Chapter 2 Linguistic Life and Linguistic Awareness (EGAWA,
TAKADA, TANAKA): We described the contact with mass media,
involvement in private correspondence, interpersonal
contact, contact with foreign languages and foreigners, and
other relevant circumstances for speakers in each country.
Chapter 3 Greeting Behaviour (TANAKA, HINATA, SUGITO,
TAKADA): We contrasted patterns in greeting behaviour for
speakers of each country in the following 4 contexts: "in
the home," "on the street," "in the park," and "in school" and
the actual linguistic expressions that were used in each context.
Chapter 4 Shopping and Asking for Directions (TANAKA,
HINATA, SUGITO, TAKADA): We contrasted the patterns in
linguistic behaviour for speakers of each country during
shopping activities at a station newsstand and a department
store (buying a fountain pen) and when asking directions of
a stranger.
Chapter 5 Physical Contact, Proxemics (SUGITO): We
described the differences between Japanese and Germans from the
point of view of proxemics, particularly differences in the
amount of physical distance maintained between the
participants.
Chapter 6 Reflections and Problems for Future Research
(EGAWA): We mentioned the problems encountered in the
present research and suggested several points for
consideration in the promotion of international comparative
research and research on the contact situation between
different cultures.
The following 10 people directed the writing of this
report: NOMOTO Kikuo, HAYASI Oki, EGAWA Kiyosi, TAKADA
Makoto, TANAKA Nozomu, ISII Hisao, YONEDA Masato, SIBU Syo~hei,
HINATA Sigeo, and SUGITO Seizyu. In addition to the above
writers, WATANABE Tomosuke and MIZUTANI Osamu participated in
this project.
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