A Study on Lying Strategies in Refusal Situations in Korea and Japan – An Analysis of Refusal Avoidance Strategies for Korean and Japanese Language Learners

This study compares lying strategies used in refusal situations between Korean and Japanese speakers to understand linguistic and cultural differences and help language learners develop effective communication strategies. The research involved 100 native Korean speakers (KNS) and 100 native Japanese speakers (JNS) using a Discourse Completion Test (DCT) to examine differences in lying strategies. KNS tended to prefer the ‘positive lying strategy’ to create a positive impression, while JNS favored the ‘conditional lying strategy’ to lower expectations. The study also found that the preference for lying strategies varied based on social distance and context, reflecting cultural characteristics of each country. This research highlights the need for intercultural communication strategies in Korean and Japanese language education and their potential as practical language learning resources.