Verbal and Nonverbal Messages

Verbal Communication

            In Japan, there are many ways to say things in the official language, Japanese, especially when it comes to the time of day and how formal you want to say certain words; the formality matters when speaking to someone higher than you in job positions or in age. In Japan, elders are seen as the most respected, regardless of job position. Additionally, in Japan, teachers are looked up to as important/high as doctors. The reason teachers are looked upon is that they teach the younger generation and have the potential to create someone great.

            When we think of Lingua Franca, it is evident in Japanese culture had become more prominent in Japanese culture after WWII, when the Japanese started to adapt Western culture. English is taught to all students, starting in the fifth grade of elementary school (VisitInside), and in today's age, if you go up to a Japanese person, the chances you get a response back are high. Another aspect of speaking Japanese is that there is a list of terms we call Gairagio, which translates to loan word, essentially taking English and fitting it into the Japanese language. For example, idol would be said as aidoru or angel is anjeru and more!

Below are my translated words:

Hello, can be said as:

Konichiwa - ‘Kon-ni-chi-wa’ (Hello – All day/Most used/Formal): こんにちは

Ohayo - ‘o-ha-yo’ (Good morning - informal): おはよう

Osu - ‘Oss’(Hey – Informal/Slang): おっす

Konbanwa - ‘kon-ban-wa’(Good evening – Formal): こんばんは

Ya - 'yaa' (Hey – Casual/Slang): やあ

Yahhoo - ‘ya-ho-’(Hello – Informal/Cheerful): やっほー

Yes, can be said as:

Hai - ‘ha-i’ (Yes – All day/Most used/Formal): はい 

Ee - ‘eh-eh’ (Yes – Casual/ Agreeing): ええ

No, can be said as:

iie ‘ee-eh’ (No – All day/most used/Formal): いいえ

ie ‘ee-eh’ (No – Shorter version/Formal): いえ

iya ‘ee-ya’ (No – “I don’t want to”/Casual): いや

uun ‘oo-oon’ (No – Informal): ううん

Please, can be said as:

Onegai shimasu ‘o-ne-ga-i shi-ma-su’ (Please – Most used/ Polite): お願いします

Kudasai ‘ku-da-sai’ (Please – Please give me/Formal): ください

Thank you, can be said as: 

Arigatou gazanimasu ‘a-ri-ga-to go-za-i-mas’ (Thank you – Most used/Formal): ありがとうございます

Arigatou Gozaimashita ‘a-ri-ga-to go-za-i-ma-shi-ta’ (Thank you – Express thanks to something that already happened): ありがとうございました

Arigatou ‘a-ri-ga-to’ (Thank you – Informal): ありがとう

Azasu ‘a-zass’ (Thank you - Informal): あざっす

Domo ‘do-mo’ (Thank you or You’re welcome - Casual): どうも

Can you help me? can be said as:

Tasukete kureru ‘ta-su-ke-te ku-re-ru’ (Can you help me?  - Informal): 助けてくれる？

Tetsudai moraemas ka ‘te-tsu-dat-te mo-ra-e-mas ke’ (Could you please help me out – Formal): 手伝ってもらえますか

 Tasukete itadakemasu ka ‘ta-su-ke-te i-ta-da-ke-mas ka’ (Could you help me, please – Formal): 助けていただけますか

 Tetsudai itadakemasen ka ‘te-tsu-da-i i-ta-de-ke-ma-sen ka’ (Can you help me – Requesting for help/ Formal): 手伝い頂けませんか

I don’t understand can be said as: 

Wakarimasen ‘wa-ka-ri ma-sen’ (I don’t know – formal): わかりません

Wakaranai ‘wa-ka-ra-nai’ (Uncertain – Informal): わからない

Shirimasen ‘shi-ri-ma-sen’ (I don’t know – Formal): 知りません

Shiranai ‘shi-ri-nai’(I don’t know – Informal): 知らない

I don’t speak Japanese can be said as: 

Nihongo shaberimasen ‘ni-ho-n-go sha-be-re-ma-sen’ (I don’t speak Japanese – Formal): 日本語しゃべれません

My name is Isabelle can be said as:

Watashi no namae wa Isabelle desu ‘wa-ta-shi no na-ma-e wa Isabelle des’ (My name is Isabelle – Formal): 私の名前はイザベルです

Isabelle to moushimasu ‘Isabelle to mo-shi-mas’ (I am named Isabelle - Casual): イザベルと申します




            As a person who grew up speaking Japanese, I can pronounce everything, but I had my friend try to pronounce the words, and she struggled to say e or え as well as i or い. This wasn’t particularly surprising, as in English, the way you would think to say e as in ear is completely different and is rarely used in Japanese, as our e is as in bed. The same goes for English; we use it as ice, but in Japanese, we say I as green, using the sound of the double ee.

            Before copying and pasting the webpage, I read the page to make sure Google Translate got it correct, and to my surprise, the translation was almost perfect. I was very impressed with the outcome of the use of Google Translate and think it is a great tool to use when visiting Japan.

            When we read “language influences our view of reality.” I don’t think it’s necessarily talking about language itself, but more of the culture that comes with it. When we think of things that influence others, it’s actions, usually disciplinary, or cultural values. The only way I could see language influence my view of reality is if I’m being scolded not to do something or am told to do something. I think most of it is culture, heritage (family), and religion.





Non-verbal communications


            Nonverbal communication is very important; there is a high importance to communicate without using spoken words but instead with body language, facial expressions, gestures (hand movements), and other physical cues. These different nonverbal communication skills are as strong as verbal words; it just takes more creativity to convert these cues into a form of understanding.

When I think of nonverbal communication in Japan the first thing that comes into my mind is bowing. It’s a traditional and respectful gesture in Japan. Bowing in Japanese culture is used as a form of greeting, showing appreciation or apologizing, and most importantly to show respect to elders or people who have higher positions. There are different ways to bow in certain scenarios. Just like in language, there is a formal and casual way of communicating. In bowing, a shallow bow is generally used in casual settings, usually used when greeting other individuals. A slightly deeper bow is used as a form of respect, generally seen when showing appreciation, apologizing or showing respect to elders or people with higher positions. Essentially the deeper you bow the more respect you’re showing to the other person!



Eye contact in Japan is seen as very disrespectful and in contrary America sees eye contact as a very important in daily communication. This being said eye contact in Japan is a sign of respect and humility, this is even more important when talking to elders or people in higher positions. This is one of many obstacles of intercultural nonverbal communication. Another nonverbal communication that I consider as a obstacle is hand gestures. In America, it is very common to point with fingers, but in Japan to indicate the direction, pointing with all of you fingers with the palm up is very important and is a sign of respect. For an example, if a foreigner came to Japan and either pointed to an object of person, it would be a huge sign of massive disrespect and the person you are talking to/person you are point to would most likely never talk to you again.

As mentioned in class, in Japan it is very important to conform into the community and not to stick out. So, general appearance is highly important. In Japan, formality and conformity are valued as the highest aspect of Japanese culture. According to Japannihon, “The way one presents oneself is considered a reflection of their respect for others and their place in society.” (Japannihon). Going back to being a community and being ‘hammered down’ when you stick out, is a very real and important aspect of Japan. So, when we think of general appearance, we can relate it to uniforms, starting from elementary schools we start wearing uniforms and upon graduation of undergrade school, you would wear a suit for the rest of your life and so on. Going back to gestures, as we can see in American culture, we use hand gestures every day. 



Living in Japan, you will never see any sort of public display of attention or any touching of any sort. Not touching each other is a sign of social harmony in Japan, which is highly valued as a conforming group. Similarly, in America, you don’t see a lot of physical touching necessarily, but you do see public displays of attention like handholding or kissing. When we think of the difference between Japan and America, in Japan, it is embedded into the social norms to not touch anyone, but in America, it is okay to touch others, but it is taught to ask before touching. So, we can see a more lenient perspective on the differences in personal space. Since I’ve lived in Japan and grown up with the Japanese norms engraved into my mind, I can confidently say I think I’d be fine living in this cultural norm. Connecting personal space with sitting and standing in line are very similar in the gist that standing a certain amount away from each other and always allowing space to maneuver is very important in both cultures.

Japan is a very monochronic culture; it is very rude to be late and is customary to be early. This can be seen in everyday life in Japan, as the example you gave in class, of the “what would your response be if the doctor was late?”, my immediate response was think they’re rude and ask where the doctor is, but in America it’s normalized that there is a sense of hierarchy, but in Japan it’s more about being respectful to everyone by being on time.

Moving from America back to Japan and so forth, It was a culture shock as everything is subtle the same but also completely different.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Chebbouba, S. (2023, February 21). Japanese Body Language: A Guide to Nonverbal Communication in Japan. Arigato Travel. https://arigatojapan.co.jp/japanese-body-language-nonverbal-communication-japan/

japannihon. (2023, March 25). Why appearance is important in Japan? - Japan Nihon. Japan Nihon. https://www.japannihon.com/why-appearance-is-important-in-japan/

Seaka. (2025, September 14). Understanding Personal Space in Japan: Respect, Distance, and Social Harmony. Threads of Thought. https://www.mizunasusweets.com/personal-space-japan/

What Is Monochronic? Definition, Traits, and Cultures. (2026, March 13). ScienceInsights. https://scienceinsights.org/what-is-monochronic-definition-traits-and-cultures/

Alex. (2021, January 6). 26 Ways to Say Hello in Japanese (Casual & Formal Greetings). Alex Rockin Japanese. https://www.alexrockinjapanese.com/how-to-say-hello-in-japanese-greetings/

Bevan, A. (2025, October 28). How To Say “Please” in Japanese To Make a Polite Request. Rosetta Stone. https://blog.rosettastone.com/please-in-japanese/

Gary, R. (2018, December 8). How to Say “Can You Help Me?” in Japanese - How To Say Guide. How to Say Guide; H2SG. https://howtosayguide.com/how-to-say-can-you-help-me-in-japanese/

https://www.facebook.com/TheTrueJapan. (2023, April 14). 6 Natural Ways to Say “I Don’t Know” in Japanese. The True Japan. https://thetruejapan.com/i-dont-know-in-japanese/

JoynTokyo. (2025, September 11). JoynTokyo. https://joyn.tokyo/life-guide/language/how-to-say-thank-you-in-japanese

List of gairaigo and wasei-eigo terms. (2020, June 27). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gairaigo_and_wasei-eigo_terms

Loanwords in Japanese. (2023, May 16). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loanwords_in_Japanese

Nordquist, R. (2020, June 15). What Is a Lingua Franca? ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-lingua-franca-1691237

Ogawa, J. (2023, January 18). “No” in Japanese - Ways to reject or decline. 90 Day Japanese. https://90dayjapanese.com/no-in-japanese/

Torres, G. (2025, April 7). How To Say Yes In Japanese: 5+ Easy Ways For Beginners. The Blog for Language Lovers | Lingopie.com. https://lingopie.com/blog/yes-in-japanese/

ViJapan. (2024, October 20). “Understanding English Education in Japan: An In-depth Look at Cultural and Systemic Challenges” – Visitinsidejapan. Visitinsidejapan – the Real Japan for Overseas Visitors. https://visitinsidejapan.com/travel-in-japan/understanding-english-education-in-japan-an-in-depth-look-at-cultural-and-systemic-challenges/


 

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