When you're speaking to someone in Japanese either in person or on the phone, the person listening will make mild gestures and noises to show that they are listening. These can be sounds like, "hm, hm" or "hai, hai," and they continue throughout the duration of the conversation.
Until today, when I was trying to relay some things to teachers in English OR in Japanese, I simply assumed they were really busy and were trying to hurry me to the point. Sometimes it may have been this, but I realized that perhaps they are just using the Japanese "I'm listening" indication noises even when talking in English. Maybe they aren't trying to hurry me along, but are simply showing me that they're listening. It's funny how one thing so basic in Japanese can turn into something so different in English! Try doing this with a friend who wouldn't be offended if you explained it to them afterward, and tell me what you think.
Lana
This is a great perspective! I use this for my classes for Japanese lerners. This never be taught in the textbooks!! Thank you, Lana
ReplyDelete