Criticism in Korean and Chinese workplace observation reality shows

Abstract

This study examines criticism in Korean and Chinese. It holds significance because criticism is potentially face-threatening and can cause misunderstandings in intercultural communication, and there has been limited contrastive pragmatic analysis between Korean and Chinese speakers. Data derived from Good People and An Exciting Offer, two workplace observation reality shows where law school students vied for two positions at a renowned law firm. The two shows are comparable in genre, format, theme, and production background. The data is transcribed and coded independently by two project assistants. Interactional sociolinguistic methods are employed to analyze how criticism is used to create meaning in social interaction. R is also utilized for statistical tests to explore potential associations between language and criticism, and to determine whether the proportion of one category of criticism is significantly larger than that of another. Results indicate that the participants adopted various criticism strategies such as expressing negative attitudes, stating problems, making comparisons, advising, questioning, teasing, among others. The Chinese speakers employed significantly more instances of criticism—both directly and indirectly—than their Korean counterparts. Criticism was conveyed more frequently in the attorney-intern interactions than in the observer-observer, attorney-attorney, or intern-intern interactions, which indicates the influence of professional roles and status differences on the use of criticism. The findings challenge the stereotype that suggests a generalized similarity between East Asian cultures, including the notion that Korean and Chinese speakers behave similarly in pragmatic contexts. Further research in these under-explored areas is needed to prevent miscommunication between South Koreans and Chinese nationals.