The Use of Japanese Language in Intercultural Context among Malaysian Japanese Speaking Employees in Japanese Companies

ABSTRACT

Lack of proficiency in Japanese language is a hindrance for successful intercultural communication between Malaysian Japanese speaking employees (MJSE) and Japanese employers (JE) in Japanese companies (JC) in Malaysia. Therefore, this quantitative study using Japanese Language Questionnaire (JLQ) investigated Japanese language use in intercultural context among MJSE to identify Japanese language challenges faced by them in JC. The findings indicate major challenges in listening and speaking compared to reading and writing. This indicate lack of language preparedness of Malaysian Japanese language learners before embarking for employment into JC in Malaysia. The study recommends evaluation of the Japanese language curriculum to ensure MJSE’s readiness to embark into employment at JC.

KEYWORDS:

• Challenges
• intercultural workplace
• Japanese language communication
• Japanese companies (JC)
• Malaysian Japanese speaking employees (MJSE)

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to The Sumitomo Foundation for a grant under the Fiscal 2018 Grant for Japan-Related Research Projects to enable us to carry out this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Sumitomo Foundation [Fiscal 2018 Grant for Japan-Related Research Project].

Notes on contributors

Lee Su Yeoh

Lee Su Yeoh, PhD is a Japanese Language Instructor at the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her areas of specialization include Japanese language skills, multiculturalism and material development.

Manjet Kaur Mehar Singh

Manjet Kaur Mehar Singh, Assoc. Prof., is the Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation and Industry-Community Engagement at the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her areas of specalization include international education, literacy, applied linguistics and multiculturalism.