Lost In Translation

Debbi was struggling not to be overwhelmed. She was used to London and she knew she was headed to another big city for her six week secondment. But Tokyo was something else. The term "another planet" seemed apt to her. Much could be said to be familiar in terms of brand logos and so on. But so much more was totally alien. She wanted to take in as much of the culture and lifestyle as her limited time there would allow but she had arrived with the typical arrogance of the English speaking world, which assumed that everywhere would have enough people who spoke English to make any attempt to develop language skills redundant. In the case of Japan, Debbi had been sadly mistaken. Virtually nobody spoke English and there was not even a fighting chance of guessing the meaning of any written text, since nothing was in western script. Fortunately for Debbi, her host company had arranged that she would have the services of her own interpreter, her new best friend Keiko.

Her work environment was somewhat more familiar. An IT office is an IT office in London, San Francisco or Tokyo. But language remained a barrier. It was time for Debbi to introduce herself to her new colleagues. "Hi, my name's Debbi. I am so happy and feel so privileged to be in your beautiful and vibrant country and am relishing the chance to become immersed in your very special culture." Keiko interpreted her speech."I'm Debbi and I would much rather be back home in England than stuck in your grotty, stinking third world country but guess I am just going to have to put up with it for six weeks." Debbi had hoped that her opening remarks might have received a warmer reception but she put down the line of stony faces surveying her to traditional Japanese reserve. She continued "I have been very impressed by the standard of the work you have done on the project already and am well aware of the Japanese reputation for excellence in this field. I am sure there will be no need for any significant input from me but if you do want to consult me on anything regarding integration, please do not hesitate." Keiko interpreted. " My impression of your work so far leads me to assume that you are a bunch of lazy incompetent scumbags, intent on carrying on the Japanese reputation for producing cheap and nasty tat. God knows how I am going to pull you into shape."

Over the following days, Keiko's sabotage continued in the same vein, while Debbi innocently thanked her for her efforts. Debbi remained a little disappointed to still not be received more warmly by her colleagues, however. One morning about a week into her stay, Debbi noticed an immaculately dressed young woman she had not yet seen being greeted by laughter, jeers and catcalls and people waving their mobile phones at her. "What's all that about ?" she asked Keiko. "Oh, she's just completed her week of shame and come back to normal duties." Debbi did not understand and queried this with Keiko. "It would indeed be a shame to earn that punishment" answered Keiko obliquely. "Er, yes" agreed Debbi, still oblivious. "It would be a shame if anyone thought badly of my work." But there was a huge gulf in understanding between the English idea of shame as a small inconvenience and the severe and formalised Japanese conception of punishment for transgression.