“Lost in Translation”: Interpersonal Communication Between Strangers and Complete Strangers

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Table of Contents

The Most Illustrative Episodes
The Actors of the Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal Communication between the Strangers
Interactions between the Complete Strangers
The Differences between Communication Patterns Used
Works Cited

The Most Illustrative Episodes

The film Lost in Translation focuses on many important issues like love, relationships, ennui, etc. Apart from this, the film is one of the most illustrative examples of different types of interpersonal communications. At present interactions between people pertaining to different cultures has gained a lot of attention.

Remarkably, the film under consideration provides several examples to analyze to understand peculiarities of communication between people speaking the same language and people speaking different languages. Even a few episodes of the film are really suggestive in terms of the issues concerning interpersonal communication.

For instance, it is possible to look at the episode when Bob, the protagonist of the film, meets the beautiful stranger, Charlotte, the episodes in the hospital where Bob interacts with a Japanese man and the famous scene of filming the advertisement.

The Actors of the Interpersonal Communication

In the first place, it is important to define the actors of the interactions. First, the two Americans meet in the bar, Bob and Charlotte. These actors can be regarded as strangers. Though they do not know each other, they speak the same language and they share the same cultural background. Of course, they cannot be regarded as complete strangers in terms of personal communication as they share some knowledge about their culture.

Secondly, Bob is trying to interact with a Japanese man. In this case, the actors are complete strangers as they do not know each other, they speak different languages, and they know little about the cultures of each other. Furthermore, the director of the advertisement and Bob can also be regarded as complete strangers. Even though they are introduced to each other, they still speak different languages and know little about each other’s cultures.

Interpersonal Communication between the Strangers

Now it is possible to pass on to the analysis of the three cases. Thus, the two Americans find themselves in one of the bars in Japan. These two people eagerly interact as they feel lonely and confused in a strange country. The two start a small talk easily. They use different kinds of communication, verbal as well as non-verbal means. As for non-verbal means, the two lean over each other, they set eye contact, they smile and laugh, they nod, etc. (Lost in Translation).

Of course, verbal communication prevails as it is easier to make the interlocutor understand one’s ideas with the help of words. The two actors feel rather free as they communicate. They use humor and resort to their background knowledge. For instance, Charlotte suggests that Bob is experiencing the midlife crisis (Lost in Translation). Of course, such topics can be discussed by people pertaining to the same culture.

Interactions between the Complete Strangers

When it comes to the complete strangers, people use other patterns. For instance, complete strangers have no opportunity to rely on verbal communication as they may know only few words, which is not enough to express their ideas. Thus, Bob uses gestures trying to interact with the Japanese man (Lost in Translation).

The Japanese man also uses gestures to explain something. Apparently, the Japanese man is trying to tell some number as he counts off on his fingers. The two men are not hostile and they reveal their positive attitude smiling and laughing. Nonetheless, they cannot understand each other.

Likewise, Bob cannot understand the director who tries to explain what he expects from Bob. Even through there is an interpreter, the two men cannot fully understand each other (as the interpreter only says few words to Bob). Again, nonverbal communication comes into play. Thus, Bob is confused and it is obvious as his confusion can be “read” from his face (Lost in Translation).

When Bob asks the interpreter, the man raises his brows and his eyes are wide open. Bob’s facial expression reveals his surprise and confusion. When Bob wants to show he understands what is required, he nods and smiles, which can be regarded as universal means of nonverbal communication.

Remarkably, the director also uses nonverbal means to express his dissatisfaction with the actor. The director tries to show what he wants Bob to do. It is also quite clear when the director wants to encourage Bob. To encourage the American actor, the director smiles and uses the English word “Ok” which is used to reveal consent. Therefore, it is possible to claim that nonverbal communication also prevails in this interaction.

The Differences between Communication Patterns Used

In conclusion, it is important to note that the film under consideration illustrates different types of interpersonal communication between the strangers and the complete strangers. It is clear that strangers, i.e. people who do not know each other but speak the same language and have similar cultural background, resort to verbal means of communication.

At the same time, complete strangers, those who speak different languages and have different cultural backgrounds, have to rely on nonverbal communication. Thus, it is possible to conclude that language helps people to communicate more effectively, though even nonverbal communication can be effective as people can eventually understand each other without using a lot of words.

Works Cited

Lost in Translation. Dir. Sofia Coppola. Universal City, California: Universal Studios. 2003. DVD.

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