Japanese and Chinese-First Draft-(Compare and Contrast Essay)

Salih Özkan

March 23, 2014

Japanese and Chinese

Europeans and Americans usually have difficulty in separating Japanese from Chinese. They think that there is no difference between each other as they think they look similar and speak the same language. However, there are a lot of differences. In fact, Japanese differ from Chinese in terms of their appearance, culture, language, education level, and communication with other countries.

First, although Japanese and Chinese look like each other, there are some differences in their appearance that can be easily seen to differ them. First of all, Japanese and Chinese differ in face color. Japanese's faces are generally a bit pale, whereas Chinese's faces are usually a bit dark. Second, Japanese and Chinese differ in the shapes of face. While Japanese generally have narrow face, Chinese usually have round face. Third, Japanese and Chinese differ in dressing. As Japanese follow the western culture, they often want to get dressed just as the western people do. However, since Chinese tend to follow their traditions, they frequently get dressed in according to their traditions.

Second, although Japan and China are located in Asia, the cultures between Japanese and Chinese are very different. First, Japanese culture and Chinese culture differ in the concept of food. Although rice is worthy in two culture, Japanese prefer seafood, while Chinese prefer roasting food. Second, Japanese culture and Chinese culture differ in the concept of family matter. Even though family is an important matter in both of two cultures, Chinese have strict rules about the family, while Japanese do not get involved in the family matter as Chinese do. Third, Japanese culture and Chinese culture differ in the concept of music. Although both of the cultures try to keep their music tradition alive, Japanese seem to lose their bond as they follow the western culture.

Third, although others might think that Japanese and Chinese speak the same language as they sound similar when they speak, the language they speak is very different. First, Japanese and Chinese differ in writing. Although Japanese and Chinese use the same alphabet, which is Kanji, Japanese use Altaic language family, whereas Chinese use Sino-Tibetan language family. Second, Japanese and Chinese differ in the production of sounds. Although they may sound similar when they speak, Chinese use /l/ and /ʃ/ sounds frequently. However, Japanese tend to add /u:/ and /ɒ/ sounds to the end of the words. Third, Japanese and Chinese differ in that Chinese is far more spoken than Japanese. Although Japanese is known to be a lot easier to learn, people prefer Chinese as it is more important in business. 

Fourth, although Japan and China are located in Asia, the education level between Chinese and Japanese is very different. First, Japanese and Chinese differ in the graduation degree they hold. While almost all Japanese hold university degree, some Chinese do not even have any degree. Second, Japanese and Chinese differ in the number of scientists they have brought up. Although Chinese have brought great scientists, some of them are Zhang Heng and Gu Chaohao, Japanese are one of the most successful nationalities that have brought up a great number of scientists. Third, Japanese and Chinese differ in the number of book they read for a year. While a Japanese averages 20 books for a year, a Chinese can only average two books.

Fifth, although Japan and China are located in Asia, the communication they establish with other countries is very different. First, Japanese and Chinese differ in kindness they show to other nationalities. Although both of the communities went through some hard time with other nationalities, Japanese are very cordial, whereas Chinese are not nice to others. Second, Japanese and Chinese differ in hospitality. Although both of the communities were usually in a war against others in the past, Japanese are more likely to welcome other people, while Chinese are more likely to ignore them. Third, Japanese and Chinese differ in the respect they show to other religions. Although most of Japanese and Chinese believe in the same religion which is Buddhism, Japanese respect others' faith, but Chinese force others to believe the same religion Chinese have.

To sum up, Japanese and Chinese can be separated by observing their image, traditions, language, academic level, and communication with other communities. By observing it, people will be able to identify who are Japanese or Chinese. People should be able to identify them because it helps people to know who they communicate with, and with that knowledge people will act how they should act. Furthermore, it is really an annoying question to ask them whether they are Japanese or Chinese.

Outline

I. Introduction

1.      Giving background information about the difficultness of separating Japanese and Chinese

2.      Making a turnabout

3.      Thesis Statement

II. Body Paragraph 1

1.      Difference in appearance

2.      Difference in face color

2.1. Paleness to darkness

3.      Difference in the shapes of face

3.1. Narrowness to roundness

4.      Difference in dressing

4.1. Modern to tradition

 III. Body Paragraph 2

1.      Difference in culture

2.      Difference in the concept of food

2.1. Seafood to roasting food

3.      Difference in the concept of family matter

3.1. Strictness of rules to less involvement

4.      Difference in the concept of music

4.1. Losing their bond to keeping their tradition alive

IV. Body Paragraph 3

1.      Difference in language

2.      Difference in writing

2.1. Altaic language family to Sino-Tibetan language family

3.      Difference in sounds

3.1. Intense usage of /l/ and /ʃ/ in Chinese

3.2. Intense usage of /u:/ and /ɒ/ at the end of the words in Japanese

4.      Difference in the number of speakers

4.1. Importance of Chinese in business

V. Body Paragraph 4

1.      Difference in the education level

2.      Difference in the graduation degree they hold

2.1. Holding university degree to not having any degree

3.      Difference in the number of scientists they have brought up

3.1.  The success of Japanese in the number of scientists they have brought up

4.      Difference in the number of book they read for a year

4.1. Averaging 20 books to 2 books

VI. Body Paragraph 4

1.      Difference in the communication with other countries

2.      Difference in kindness they show

2.1. Being cordial to being not nice

3.      Difference in hospitality

3.1.  Welcoming others to ignoring others

4.      Difference in the respect they show to other religions

4.1. Respecting others' faith to forcing others to believe their religion

VII. Conclusion

1.      Summarizing

2.      Explaining the reason why people should be able to identify them.