There’s A Lot to Silence

Cross-cultural communication is complicated. Concepts always don’t translate well. Meaning is about more than words.

As an example, I have difficulty explaining the concept of ma and translating the meaning of “space.” In English, one literally reads the physical environment while in Japanese, there is more focus on how literal and figurative space is felt. Moreover, there’s this consistent need to use filler words to kill silence in English, as if silence is a poison that needs to be diluted out of existence. There’s more of a balance and an appreciation for silence with Japanese conversations. One doesn’t feel obligated to just say something.

Being raised in both cultures has influenced how I communicate. Understanding each approach independently, knowing where and when to use them, allows me to adapt and move fluidly through cultural spaces.

When I was learning taiko drumming last year, our group regularly discussed the differences between American and Japanese performing styles. With American taiko, there is a constant rhythm and convergence of sounds. Japanese drummers tend to allow the absence of sound and emphasize individual beats. It’s not about better or worse, they’re just different.

Without a cross-cultural understanding of “space,” I wouldn’t have been able to appreciate all sides of the taiko conversation, both styles for what they are, or their influence on each other. My bi-cultural heritage forces me to think more deeply about how much these daily practices subconsciously affect our perspectives.