Face Intercultural Communication MARLEN ELLIOT HARRISON MARLEN HARRISONJYU

Face & Intercultural Communication MARLEN ELLIOT HARRISON MARLEN. HARRISON@JYU. FI "among the most troublesome kinds of problems that arise in negotiation are the intangible issues related to the loss of face" (Brown, 1977, p. 275).

What is Face? • Activity: Make a small group of no more than 4 people. Compare your homework notes with your group members. You have 5 minutes. • First, what is meant by ”face”? • Second, what kinds of theories did you discover? • Third, why is this concept meaningful for this course? • Let’s share what we’ve discussed as a large group. Can we name at least 4 different theorists and their ideas about face? • Ting-Toomey: Negotiation theory, 1985 • Goffman: Image of self, 1955 • Brown & Levinson: Politeness in language use, 1978 • Tannen: Face and gender, 1990 • In a moment, I’ll provide personal examples from Japan and the USA. What questions do you have so far?

Face • Activity: What is the significance of ”face” in Finnish culture, in general, and in your own lives, specifically? • Work with your group members to identify a situation which illustrates the concept of ”face. ” For example, agree upon a situation you’ve all encountered in which ”face” has been an issue. You have 5 minutes. • Let’s share what we’ve discussed as a large group. Can we identify at least 2 different ways that we deal with ”face” in social situations? • Saving Face vs Losing Face: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=_0 WEOrd 7 js. I

Context • Group Harmony vs Individualism • Activity: High Context vs Low Context cultures. • Work with your group members to brainstorm an understanding of what these terms might mean and which types of cultures may be high or low context cultures. You have 5 minutes. • Learn more: Edward Hall (1976, Beyond Culture), Geert Hofstede (2001, Culture’s Consequences) • Let’s share what we’ve discussed as a large group. How are these concepts (face and context) significant in relation to this course?

Maintaining Face � Ting-Toomey's article, Intergroup Diplomatic Communication, highlights the fact that during negotiation, there are two simultaneous face processes going on. Although much more attention has been given in the past to face-threatening behaviors, face-honoring processes also occur. She argues that diplomats must learn that face-maintenance is the key to successful inter-group negotiation. By face-maintenance, she means "the desire to project an image of strength and capability, or conversely, to avoid projecting an image of incapability, weakness, or foolishness. (Rosenberg, 2004) � To find Rosenberg’s article, just search for “Sarah Rosenberg Face. ” � Another great read is Lisa Vilkki’s Politeness, Face and Facework (2006); just search for ”Vilkki Politeness”

Face in Context • Example from Japan #1: ”Maybe…多分” • Group harmony, honne & tatemae 本音と建て前, avoiding conflict • Example from USA #2: ”Volunteering” • Climb the ladder of success, get ahead, illustrate confidence and drive • Activity: Based on what we’ve discussed, what are some strategies for managing ”face” in cross-cultural settings? • Work with your group members to identify at least two English linguistic strategies for managing face. You have 5 minutes.

Strategies & Conclusion • http: //oregonstate. edu/instruct/comm 440 -540/face. htm • To find this article, search ”Face Oregonstate Walker” CONCLUSIONS • Is understanding face a matter of learning sentences and vocabulary? • Can we learn face-management strategies in a classroom? • Final Activity: Talk with your group one last time and identify: • One issue related to face you want to know more about. • One idea or concept that you learned today that you hadn’t known before. • One thing that you might do differently after today’s presentation.