This research examines the role of language in cross-cultural romantic relationships. It explores how language functions to affect, for good or ill, the shape and outcome of cross-cultural dating. First the research will provide a social context in which intercultural romance is being examined. Then it will use reports from persons who have been involved in relationships with persons from cultures different from theirs in order to evaluate the impact of language skills on the relationships.
Globalization is usually applied to economics and politics. However, the conduct of intercultural dating shows that globalization can also be a part of personal relationships and social interaction. Experts such as Ma and Kelsky describe intercultural romances in terms of social commentary. Ma cites the stereotype of the Western dominant man in search of the submissive Asian woman (Ma, 1996a). Kelsky describes the lurid image of the so-called "yellow cabs," the name given to affluent young Japanese women who are criticized by mainstream Japanese culture because they travel the world in search of gaijin, or non-Japanese, lovers (1996, p. 173). Kelsky criticizes the critics of yellow cabs. She says that these critics fear yellow cabs' independence. The critics are trying to show that yellow cabs are being socially destructive to Japanese culture.
The point is that both Kelsky and Ma are mainly interested in "macro" social criticism. A closer look at the personal dynamics of such relationships may capture the content of individual experience. Most intercultural marriages described by Ma and Kelsky were not permanently successful. No relationships described in the research transcripts were permanent.
Thus the question becomes why. Information in both the interviews compiled for this research and in the work of Ma and Kelsky includes comments that show communication to be a key to the relationships. Failures of communication help explain why bot...