Essays on Writing and Language in Honor - Sino-Platonic Papers

Schnfifestschrift: <strong>Essays</strong> in Honor of John DeFrancis
1) proficiency in communication in a culrurally appropriate manner achieved by understanding the
similarities and differences of both American and Japanese cultures;
2) an interest and empathetic understanding of value judgment, way of thinking, and lifestyle of
the Japanese;
3) an enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning the Japanese language;
4) an understanding that social variables (such as age, sex, status, etc.) affect language use and
behavior,
5) the ability to understand behavioral characteristics of the Japanese in conventional situations;
6) the ability to evaluate cultural generalities concerning Japanese culture;
7) an understanding and appreciation of the arts and cultural traditions of the people of Japan (such
as kabuki, ikebana, calligrphy, etc.).
The survey results indicate that the teachers in Japan perceive cultural instruction as a
contribution to develop the affective doman as well as knowledge and skill development. They
also indicate that small c culture contexts (i.e. cultural behavior, customs, perceptions of reality
shared by a cultual community) are more popular than big C culture (achievement culture, i.e.
literature, art, music, etc.) as instructional content of culture. This reminds me of Eleanor Jorden's
emphasis on so called 'acquired culture' rather than learned culture' in selection of cultural content
for language teaching. ( In her workshops conducted in March 1991 in Hawaii.) She pointed out
that the use of language has more impact with the culture unconsciously acquired through being a
native rather than that learned consciously.
Cultural Topics
In order to attain these instructional goals, culture topics should be carefully selected in
accordance with the language lesson in progress as well as student needs and interests. Favorite
topics for high school students chosen by the Japanese teacher group in the same survey are
following areas (order of importance):
TOPICS EXAMPLES
1. Daily Lifestyle: Japanese house, shopping, clothes, transportation
2. School Life: school system, teacher-student relationships, juku
3. Eating and Drinking: restaurant, food, table manners, kissaten
4. Language and Culture: keigo/in-group-outgroup, connotation,
5. Family Life: role expectation: father, mother, children
6. Life Customs: wedding, funeral, ettiguette, exchanging gfts
7. Attitude & Values: fomality/rituals, considerationfor others