A case study examining backchannels in conversations between Japanese–British dyads

Abstract

Listener responses (called backchannels) and their effect on intercultural communication were investigated in eight dyadic conversations in English between Japanese and British participants. The findings of this study revealed several differences in the way each culture used backchannels: the Japanese participants used slightly more backchannels per interlocutor word, the British participants displayed greater variability in the types of backchannels they used, and there were several differences in the lexical items making up these backchannels. Japanese participants sent noticeably more backchannels in three discourse contexts: at or directly after a pause, directly after a primary speaker’s nonverbal gesture, and directly after a tag question or an utterance ending with the lexical items ‘ya know’. This study found evidence supporting the hypothesis that backchannel conventions, which are not shared between cultures, contribute to negative perceptions and stereotyping. The findings of this study support the conclusion that backchannels warrant more attention in EFL classes in Japan.