Proxemics in English-speaking countries compared with Japan
BY
Hiroko Ichihara
A SHORT PAPER
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE OF
SEMINAR 1 (World Englishes)
Kumamoto Gakuen University Foreign Language Department
English Course
SUPERVISOR: Judy Yoneoka
Kumamoto Gakuen University
Oe 2-5-1 Kumamoto
Japan
2004
This paper consists of approximately 1395 words
Abstract
Spoken language is not the only means of communication.
Nonverbal Communication is also one of the effective means to communicate.
We use a lot of Nonverbal Communication in our life, for example, eye
contact, gesture, facial expression. However, nonverbal communications
differ with various countries.
This study discusses proxemics, which is personal space, among
many types of Nonverbal Communication and examine how Japanese and
other people differ. 2 pairs of overseas students and 11 Japanese students
each talk in their native language then their distances were measured.
Distance in nearer with English speaking people than with Japanese.
1 Introduction
The study of personal space, also known as "Proxemics", is〝highly
diverse, covering issues such as workplace design, optimum social
interaction distances, and the effects of crowding”. American cultural
anthropologist; E.T. Hall studied about proximics. Iｔ is important to
understand when we talk with different people.
In sectionⅡ, this paper introduction 4 types of proximics: Intimate
distance, Personal distance, Social distance and Public distance. We change
our distance according to circumstances.
Section Ⅲ reflects on the language effect on proximics. An
interesting study by Sussman & Rosenfeld (1982) studies American,
Venezuelan and Japanese. This study concludes that there is a difference of
personal space, depending on whether they speak their mother tongue or
English.
Section Ⅳshows Japanese proximics compared with other country’s
proxemics on the basis of my investigation.
E.T. Hall thought that German, British, American and French are
share similar background, but there are many cultural frictions. In section
Ⅳ, we consider the conclusion.
2. Proxemics
Proximics is important for human relations. In researching
American cultural anthropology E.T. Hall examined many case studies about
it, and revealed that how people perceive the space, can communicate subtly
different meanings. Especially, he studied the distance between people, and
classified the individual distance of Americans into 4 groups.
2.1 Intimate distance
It is the distance between close people. It is generally inside of 45 cm. When
we encourage and embrace someone, we take this distance. We can easily
make physical contact in this space. If person who doesn’t have anything to
do with you come in this space, you feel unpleasant. However we can’t get
enough distance in a full train, which puts us under a lot of stress.
2.2 Personal distance
Personal distance is about 45~120cm, we can touch someone with our hands
or foot. A married couple, steady and best friends can stand talking in this
space. We can understand someone’s psychology and nonverbal message
within this proximity. Simply put, it is the distance at which we talk to our
friend.
2.3 Social distance
The third space is social distance, it is considered 120~360cm. We use this
distance when we work together or go to parties. This is part of Social
distance is similar holding one’s tongue when working in public. This is part
pf formal business communication. The higher social standing person has
social distance on their mind. For example, many bosses have the biggest
desk which keeps visitors at a further distance.
2.4 Public distance
The fourth distance is Public distance; It is more than 360cm. it is the
distance between more than two people when in a public lecture or meeting.
It is not easy to understand someone’s temperament when they are
unfamiliar to you. Public distance is called Kennedy space. Higher social
standing equates to greater individual space and proximix by tacit
agreement.
3. Distance change according to the language
Sussman＆Rosenfeld (1982) compared the distance of Venezuelan and of
Japanese when they talk. The results from greatest to least:
Japanese＞ American＞ Venezuelan
However when everyone speaks English, and only this case, the result:
Japanese ≒ Venezuelan
The difference became imperceptible. Venezuelans keep a smaller distance
than Japanese when they talk in mother tongue. However when they talk in
English, they take the same distance as Japanese. Proxemics is affected by
the language spoken. When speaking mother tongue, each person takes the
personal space of the country. In other hand when talking in another
language, there are no distance differences across the different cultural. It is
an interesting result that personal space is affected the language being
spoken.
4. Difference of proxemics
2 pairs of overseas students and 11 Japanese students each helped this
investigation.
First two or three people talked in their native language and then their facial
distance and toe distance were measured.
Native English speakers
Facial
pair 1
pair 2
pair 3
pair 4
pair 5
pair 6
pair 7
pair 8
pair 9
47
32
46
50
40
42
40
38
37
pair
pair
10
11
44
35
average
41
distance
（cm）
21
Toe
13
36
5
8
39
22
24
17
37
22
22.18
distance
（cm）
Japanese
Facial
pair 1
pair 2
pair 3
pair 4
pair 5
pair 6
pair 7
pair 8
pair 9
66
59
53
57
58
47
54
49
55
pair
pair
10
11
60
59
average
56.09
distance
（cm）
62
Toe
55
51
54
58
45
50
45
53
58
55
53.27
distance
（cm）
The English speakers’ average facial distance is 41 cm, and toe distance
is about 22 cm. On the other hand, the Japanese average facial distance is
about 56 cm, and Toe distance is about 53 cm. Comparing the two sets of
data, there is a 15 cm difference in facial distance and a 31cm difference in
toe distance. Distance is nearer with English speaking people than with
Japanese. Proxemics is affected by culture.
With the Japanese, there was hardly any difference between Facial
distance and Toe distance. However, English speaking people have a big
difference in Facial distance and Toe distance. Why is this? English speaking
people usually use more gestures and physical contact than Japanese, so
they move body. Generally Japanese greeting is bow but English speaking
people greet with handshake, hug or other physical contact. Therefore
English speaking people’s personal space is nearer.
Also many Japanese talk with a straight back and they stand stiff and
still, but English speaking people stand in a comfortable relaxed positioning
bending their legs or moving their legs forward. As such, posture, which may
in turn be affected by national character, accounts for the differences in
Facial and Toe distances.
5. Conclusion
This study shows that personal space is changed by human relations,
language and culture. English speaking people’s proxemics is narrower than
Japanese.
We each have our own personal space and take suitable distance
unconsciously when we talk to someone. It is important to know the
proxemics to contact with various people around the world. Proxemics varies
with each country, language, and culture. If you would like to be familiar
with other country people, speaking the same language is one of the most
effective ways. Knowing proxemics allows you to communicate in a more
pleasant and comfortable manner.
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