Pro Yakyu and technical communication: performing cultural analysis with a baseball bat

Abstract

Cross-cultural communication studies provide prescriptive lists of rules for managers and technical communicators to follow when they converse with members of other cultures. However, many of the existing studies focus on entire nations as homogeneous cultural groups, a drastic oversimplification that overlooks many potential variations in the national character. Before comparing the communication customs and practices of two countries, it is useful to identify' a specific cultural group that can serve as a microcosm of the national culture. Baseball comprises a single culture within both Japan and the US; the national character of each country has been infused into the game in each country, a process that reflects the specific characteristics and values of each culture. This paper provides an examination of the differences in these styles, an examination that yields surprisingly useful information for technical communicators with clients and teammates overseas.