by Bruce Corson

Created on: January 19, 2009   Last Updated: February 28, 2009

Communicating with Japanese in English

"Let's all go get drunk and have sex with the waitstaff!" At least, that's the rough translation of what my long-ago boss proclaimed to the packed room in very stilted, and incorrect, Japanese. He had meant to wrap up the meeting with the Japanese board of directors (of our largest customer) that we should go eat eel ("unagi") and drink whiskey ("uisukii"), but in his excitement said something involving an affair ("uwaki") with lots of alcohol. Uncomfortable silence and nervous chuckles followed. His heart was in the right place but he really blew it.

His heart was there but he should have stayed with English for this formal setting. That was over two decades ago and was my first experience meeting with Japanese customers. Like my old boss, most Americans doing business in Japan consider learning at least a few Japanese phrases in order to communicate better while visiting in Japan. While this is highly encouraged and much appreciated, it arguably signifies sincerity, seriousness of purpose and friendship more often than a serious attempt to learn the language.

As the novelty of the first few days of working together fades, there is a real need for serious communication. Chances are most of this communication will be in English, since there are few of us whose Japanese can match the English of our "Nihonjin" friends.

The following are tips for speaking the American English you already know well, in a way that will help you communicate, not just speak words. These are empirical observations based upon working with them over two decades; the male pronoun is used here for consistency but in this one instance likely reflects the gender with which you'll be dealing.

Speak slowly and clearly in a firm voice. Remind yourself to do this on a note pad in front of you. It is as important fifteen minutes into your conversation as it was in the very beginning. But, most of us forget, so write it down.

It is not necessary to be loud; deafness is not the problem. However, pay attention to words we Americans often drop or slur over: "Did you eat yet?" often sounds like. "Didjaeatyet?" or "j' eat yet?" They don't teach that in the schools over there.

Avoid cliches and jargon. "Catch you later" may scare the poor guy. Think about how often you say things like: "work things out," "run with the ball," "take in a movie," "drop back and punt," "cross that bridge when we come to it," and so forth.

Contractions can be a problem: "can't" and "can" may

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