"Backchannels" Are Responses During Conversation That Show the Listener Is

Essay

"Backchannels" are responses during conversation that show the listener is paying attention. In English, backchannels include "uh-huh" or "yeah." The frequency of backchannels differs cross-culturally; for instance, the Japanese use backchannels much more often than Americans. Examine how this cultural difference in communication might affect Japanese perceptions of American conversational partners and vice versa.