Japanese Professor Steve Moody’s book examines what happens when humor enters the conversation.
For many Americans, using chopsticks doesn’t come naturally. It takes time, practice, and sometimes a few dropped sushi rolls to master the art of Japan’s preferred utensil. According to Associate Professor Steve Moody (Japanese Linguistics), the humor in moments like these creates opportunities for connection. His book, titled Humor, Identity, and Belonging: Constructing the Foreign in American-Japanese Interaction, explores how humor can be used to navigate cultural differences and build unity.
Case Studies on Humor
Moody’s book draws from his research studying American-Japanese interactions. In three different case studies, he observed American interns working in Japan, English teachers living in Japan, and students living in language immersion housing. Moody planned to use these studies to better prepare Japanese language students for real-world interactions. While observing, Moody recognized that humor appeared repeatedly throughout conversations. When communication troubles arose, “both cultures were frequently relying on humor as a strategy to overcome those struggles,” Moody says.
With the element of humor in mind, he then sorted through the hundreds of hours of interactions he had recorded. Moody analyzed whether humor was directed at others or at oneself, which stereotypes or themes were mentioned, and at what point of the conversation humor came into play. As he examined the effect humor had on interaction, he noticed that it wasn’t just general humor that was utilized but humor related to identity. This observation became the focus of Moody’s research.
“You stick an American and a Japanese person in a room—they don’t know each other. All they have are stereotypes about Americans and Japanese, so they’re going to use that,” Moody says. Most of the jokes he documented referenced certain stereotypes. For example, the Japanese would tease Americans for not being able to use chopsticks or not speaking the language well. Americans would make jokes about the Japanese being punctual or awkward in certain settings.
The examples in Moody’s book demonstrate how humor and identity enable connection. At the intersection of the two, Moody watched as relationships between Americans and Japanese formed.
Using Differences to Unite
For those who have experienced American-Japanese interactions, Moody hopes his book will be relatable. “I think there’s a lot in this book that they’re going to recognize and enjoy,” says Moody. More importantly, he hopes the book will encourage all readers to value their unique identities and realize that differences can be a tool to build unity.
“That’s what I see in these case studies,” says Moody. “People using their diversities to do things that are bringing them together and building bridges.”
Moody’s book can be accessed free of charge to BYU students and faculty here.