JIAYOU!

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Preface Singapore being a multi racial country, a mix of languages is often used in the local scene. This project aims to investigate how the words of encouragement, specifically phrases such as “Good Luck” ,“Don’t Give Up”, the Chinese’s “Jiayou 加油” and the japanese’s “Ganbatte がんばって” which both commonly translate as “doing one’s best” in English, push or even dampen one’s spirits in motivation. In doing so, motivation to achieve in general is examined and linked back to the subject of how encouragement play a part in motivation. At the end of the day, we are looking at the value of support words can bring. Note: Statistics in this survey are conducted to a total number of 80 people ranging from 18 to 25 years old.


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2.

Definition

3.

4.

Do people really feel encouraged?

5.

What motivates you to want to do your best?

Conclusion

Questioning the usage of encouragement words

Book Content


1. Definition Encouragement in motivation can come in a lot of ways, a pat on the back, sweet treats, but let us narrow down to the use of words, the simplest form one could give. To narrow them down into four common terms one would use to say to people. here are the words:


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#1

D

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Commonly Used Words for Encouragement

GOOD LUCK!

2/5

success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions

JIAYOU! 1. refuel 2. make more effort

4.5/5


Look out for the

Motivation Meter! 1 to 5

DON’T GIVE UP!

3.5/5

to perservere and not cease doing something in admission of defeat despite difficult circumstances

GANBATTE! hold on; go for it; keep at it

4/5


Which phrase would you choose to encourage someone who’s in a difficult situation?

Jiayou! 73% Ganbatte!

Good Luck!

16.2%

5.4%

Don’t give up!

5.4%


2. Questioning the usage of such encouragement words like: “Jiayou” “Ganbatte” “Don’t Give Up” “Good Luck” Of course there are other encouraging words like:

All the best! You can do it! Just do it! Don’t Worry!

Godspeed ! Go Go Go! Hang in there! Everything will be fine!


A common situation to which how these words are used:

When one is facing a difficult situation, uncertain of the outcome, these words are used to encourage the participant to overcome the situation. Usually it’s used as encouragement between peers in school or workplace.

These words are also commonly used to encourage friends via instant messaging such as sms, or online chatting platforms such as Msn, Twitter or Facebook. However online content does not contain visible emotions.


So how do you know how the other party really feels at the other side of the computer?


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GOOD WILL

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Good Luck Vs Jiayou Ganbatte


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In a way Good Luck is

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something that depends on the random forces of cosmos, probability to determine your fate but

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For example when you are going for a driving test:

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“Ganbatte” or “Jiayou” requires putting one’s best effort to turn around your fate. It is an interesting

You: I’m going for a driving test tomorrow... Friend A: Good Luck! Friend B: Jiayou!

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difference in meaning that could change in the context or the impact to which it is being used.

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Which one could work better?

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3. Do people really feel encouraged?

Q: When you are faced with a difficult situation, say for example, studying hard for your exams, facing a hard day at work, your friend comforts you by saying: “Ganbatte!”,”Fighting!”,”Don’t give up!” or “Jiayou!” (meaning to do your best and continue to work on it) Does it help to

raise your spirits towards your situation?


+YES

48%

Feels a little more positive

7.5%

Feels it’s very encouraging

- NO 11.3%

Feels there’s no effect

1.3%

Finds such words annoying

NEUTRAL

20%


Q: Does it help in motivating you to work harder?


it does depends on my heart of openness at that point in time. what i mean is if the subject is something that i find really boring, and interest level is super low, i will tend to find a “jia-you” very “orh.....okay.” at those times when i feel “sian”, pressure in words like “you better study” from my sister for example encourages me then “jia you”, because at the start, my level of enthusiasm hasn’t been there so i cannot add more strength to it... but most of the time, especially when it’s something that matters to me, and i hear a friend says jia you to me, i will feel really touched, that the person remembers and cares, and it will thus encourage me to work harder. For example, when i was involved in an exhibition, and how people pool together and encouraged with a simple “jia you” it helps me carry on, and don’t give up. (:

YES Humans are

attention needed beings,

knowing friends are cared for makes us feels better.

I Usually I feel more motivated when its from a fellow peer undergoing the same thing as me. The words of encouragement make me

feel like we’re all in this together and we can help each other go through the pain/stress/crunch period.

It’s the concern and sincerity behind them that matter, not really the exact words they say. (:

It becomes customary when heard from some people, but when becomes very effective when said from someone special.


Q: Does it help in motivating you to work harder?


It just means that conversation with my friend has just ended, back to work. Best form of motivation comes in the form of encouragement? Specific Encouragement from a specific somebody, for instance a lecture of a particular subject. Motivation

also comes in the form of praise. People praise you, think you have

done a good job. In a sense this gives credit to your effort and gives recognition to the standard of work done, thus in turn provides motivation.

It would be really nice if they would volunteer help instead of just words of encouragement. Or if need, provide solutions to the existing problem. I believe only when u solve the problem or find a solution to the problem will the stress be throughly erased. Words of enocouragement are often exploted and taken for granted. It become really annoying when the person say it but not mean it. It becomes something like a politically correct reply to give to a distressed person.

At times, might prefer no encouragement. Getting them might feel like being given more pressure to perform...

NO I am self

motivated. No one can motivate me.

A lot of these phrase are overused annoying to hear especially in the case where the person knows he/she is already trying hard. Best form of comfort is just for the person to listen

and empathize where possible.


Who would you like to hear encouragement from? Who are these people that can affect your motivation in work / study?

28.2% 34.6% feel it’s their

Close Friend

prefer hearing it from their

Boyfriend / Girlfriend

15.4% feel motivated when encouraged by Family


5.1% 7.7%

would like to hear it from their

Teachers / Superiors

Role Models and Idols

are encouraged hearing it from

5.1% thinks it’s more encouraging from an

Unexpected Stranger

0% would like to hear it from their

Junior

3.8% think it’s encouraging from a

Senior


4. We have seen how the usage of encouragement can differ in varying situations, coming in different languages and differing in impact when used by people who matter differently to you. At the end of the day, motivation has to come from within. Encouragement can only push you for a cause. But what is the cause and drive?

What motivates you to want to do your best?


PASSION

(27.8%)

TO ACHIEVE A SENSE OF SATISFACTION (17.7%) WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL (13.9%)

DON’T WANT REGRETS (12.7%) COMPETITION (10.1%) WHEN IT’S A DO OR (7.6%) DIE SITUATION FAMILY (5.1%) AFRAID OF FAILURE

(3.8%)

REWARDS SUCH AS MONEY I DON’T KNOW? (1.3%)

(0%)


Other Thoughts on Motivation Nothing that really least affects,

everything affects in one way or another.

Knowing you tried your hardest and when you fail, you’ll have no regrets whatsover.

When working in a group, because of the mindset that you don’t want to drag others down with you. You know you’re not alone.

when someone don’t believe you can do it, you will want to prove that person that you can. And also the constant want to keep improving and learn more makes me motivated to do my best.

To prove to anyone who belittles me.


A good quote from Kenneth Burke, “Definition of Man” in Language in Symbolic Action.

“What more thorough illustrations could one want, of a drive to make one’s life “perfect,” despite the fact that such efforts at perfection might cause the unconscious striver great suffering?” In this competitive society, everyone wants to get a good job, wants to score well for examinations all to make one’s life more “perfect”. Your ideal “perfect” life can be in the way of having an ambition to publish your own book. Or even to backpack and travel around the world. Whatever your purpose is, in pursuing your dreams, the path would surely be arduous in some ways. Hence finding motivation to get back on track whenever one errs is important.


5. Conclusion

I guess in a way, when in pursuing a goal and your will isn’t strong enough to carry out your purpose when it’s difficult. This is where “Jiayou”, “Don’t Give Up”, “Ganbatte” can come in. How strong a word can mean to you depends on the situation in which it is used, the person who is saying it, and some sincerity. Sometimes it may not even mean anything when overused, it being just a politically correct statement when used conveniently out of a response or a reply. No matter what, if there is some value of support that can be derived from such a simple word like “jiayou”, say it right, say it with feel, say it at the right time. Even if it only adds + 1 support point to your morale, you know that at least you have one person who wants to make you feel better.

:)




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