Abstract:
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) dispatches Japan Overseas
Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) for various fields in Sri Lanka. A pre-dispatch
training is given for the JOCV s, which consists of a Sinhala language course. Before
starting their profession in Sri Lanka, they experience a one month homestay with
a Sri Lankan Family and follow another Sinhala language course. Yet, some usage
errors are still visible in their daily Sinhala conversations. Furthermore, they
encounter many problems and misunderstandings with Sri Lankans due to the
difference of working style and attitudes. The objective of this research was to
identify the reasons behind these barriers in communication. It would also be a
portrayal of the differences in language usage according to the social values,
working styles and attitudes of both nations. This research was based mostly on
primary data collected through face to face interviews with 10 JICA volunteers
currently working in Sri Lanka, as the main sample. The structured interview was
based on Sinhala language text books which were being used in the Sinhala language
courses at JICA. According to the analysis of data, most of the volunteers had pointed
out that the language they had learned through text books was significantly
different from the language used in daily conversations. Some volunteers had
experienced uneasiness due to the lack of understanding of Sri Lankan working
style and behaviour. The author has listed up some common situations where the
misunderstandings occurred. The author expects to introduce the findings to the
JICA Sri Lanka office to propose them a reconsideration of their Sinhala language
courses. They may introduce a “Culture note” section for the Sinhala text books of
JICA. Besides, the author recommends an orientation program for the Sri Lankan
office workers as well, on how to deal with the new Japanese members. Both
languages have their endemic features in the usage which are determined on
complexed cultural parameters. Without a knowledge of so called complexities, the
volunteers are unable to capture the naturally engraved language usages in Sinhala.
This research recommends the importance of a thorough cultural awareness
program for the said volunteers and for the Sri Lankan counterparts who will be
assigned to work with JICA volunteers for a certain period of time.
