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Article published In: Pragmatics
Vol. 34:2 (2024) ► pp.264–292

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How face is perceived in Chinese and Japanese

A contrastive study

ORCiD logo with link | Northeast Normal University
ORCiD logo with link | Northeast Normal University
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Available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) 4.0 license.
Published online: 19 January 2024
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https://doi.org/10.1075/prag.22075.xia
Abstract
This study aims to examine how Chinese and Japanese speakers perceive face-enhancement and face-threat from a value-construct perspective. A mixed-method research design consisting of a questionnaire and structured interviews was employed. The results suggest that the values which trigger face-enhancement and face-threat are differently distributed between the two linguacultures in face-threatening and face-enhancing situations. Both Chinese and Japanese participants agreed that competence was the top value for face-enhancement. The Chinese participants considered status superiority as the more sensitive triggering value of face-enhancement, whereas the Japanese participants believed that good public image, self-esteem, and pride were the main factors. In face-threatening scenarios, the Japanese participants paid more attention to self-abasement and shame, inconsideration and irresponsibility, whereas the Chinese were more sensitive to incompetence. We attribute these differences in individuals’ perspectives on interpersonal relationships as a possible cause of their divergent perceptions of face.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Defining ‘face’ in Chinese and Japanese
    • 2.2Previous empirical studies of face in Chinese and Japanese
  • 3.Data and methods
    • 3.1Participants
    • 3.2Instruments
    • 3.3Procedures
    • 3.4Data coding and analysis
  • 4.Results
    • 4.1Prominent triggering values of face-enhancement and face-threat
    • 4.2Comparison between Chinese and Japanese participants
  • 5.Discussion
    • 5.1The asymmetry of triggering values in face-enhancement and face-threat scenarios
    • 5.2Perceptions of face-enhancement and face-threat by Chinese and Japanese
    • 5.3Face perception and interpersonal relationship in Chinese and Japanese linguacultures
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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