3 ms·
Cue DFW's rant on silence and Pulp Fiction's uncomfortable silence scene [1, 2]. The author mentions Japan but doesn't mention aizuchi, a constant backchanneli
by psychomugs 5y ago
Cue DFW's rant on silence and Pulp Fiction's uncomfortable silence scene [1, 2].
The author mentions Japan but doesn't mention aizuchi, a constant backchanneling that signals attentiveness that I'd classify as the opposite of silent pontificating [3].
[1] https://youtu.be/iGLzWdT7vGc?t=1794 https://youtu.be/iGLzWdT7vGc?t=1794
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnVX-uv-QPc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnVX-uv-QPc
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aizuchi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aizuchi
- Clewza313 5y agoAizuchi are a universal phenomenon. "Yeah, uh-huh, exactly, I know right" serve the same function in English.
- psychomugs 5y agoBackchanneling is not exclusive to Japanese, but overuse in other languages can be perceived as rude and a sign of inattentiveness. You need to experience a casual Japanese conversation to realize how prevalent it is [1]. After my stint there, people noticed how much I backchannel even in my other languages. [1] https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language-in-society/article/abs/backchannels-across-cultures-a-study-of-americans-and-japanese1/B26AC3C44C237B9A380A5494EA5693ED https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/language-in-society/... "The findings reveal that backchannels of several types are displayed far more frequently by Japanese listeners."