KJCKorea
Journal Central

This paper focuses on the mutual interaction of the act of expressing dissatisfaction, and quantitatively analyzes and discusses the (dis)similarities that Korean, Chinese, and Japanese female students use in a situation wherein the power relationship has changed. First, the tendency of Korean female students to express their dissatisfaction showed that <confirmation of the situation and direct/indirect expression of dissatisfaction> was used between peers rather than toward seniors while <Confirmation of alternatives and acceptance of alternatives and concessions> was used toward seniors rather than between peers. Korean female students tended to use language strategies that respect the senior's dignity. It is considered that the influence of power relationships is strongly reflected in language strategy. Next, the tendency of Chinese female students to express their dissatisfaction showed that <direct expression of dissatisfaction and requests for improvement, refusal, and acceptance of alternatives> was used between peers rather than toward seniors and <Confirmation of the situation and indirect expression of dissatisfaction, confirmation of compensation and rejection> were used toward seniors rather than between peers. Lastly, the tendency of Japanese female students to express their dissatisfaction showed that they tend not to use direct expressions of dissatisfaction regardless of the power relationship. <Confirmation of the situation and indirect expression of dissatisfaction> was used more frequently between peers than toward seniors and <Request for improvement and concession> was used toward seniors rather than between peers. Similar to Korea and China, in Japan, verbal behavior that infringes on the other person's dignity is used slightly more between peers where their hierarchical power is the same in the relationship.

Act of expressing dissatisfaction, Korean, Chinese and Japanese female students, Interaction, Language strategy, Power relationship