Gender Differences in Japanese Conversation

The present study aims to explore the differences between the interaction styles of Japanese men and women. The study specifically examines three interactional patterns as seen in a Japanese talk/variety show: interruptions, reactions to interruptions, and backchannels. The data are analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. In the quantitative analysis, interruptions, reactions to interruptions, and backchannels are identified from the excerpts and categorized. In the qualitative analysis, the context of these various interruptions is closely examined, and the functions of interruptions are probed. The results are discussed following the implications.