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Language and Consumer Memory: The Impact of Linguistic Differences between Chinese and English

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  • Schmitt, Bernd H
  • Pan, Yigang
  • Tavassoli, Nader T

Abstract

Languages of the Asia-Pacific region, such as Chinese, are based on ideographic writing systems which are radically different from the alphabetic systems used in Western languages, such as English. We propose that structural differences between Chinese and English affect mental representations which, in turn, influence consumer memory of verbal information. Specifically, unaided brand recall should be differentially affected in Chinese and English when it is spoken compared with when it is written. Furthermore, recognition should be differentially affected in Chinese and English when brand names are learned auditorily compared with when they are learned visually. Results of a cross-cultural experiment conducted in China and in the United States confirm predictions for unaided brand recall and partially confirm predictions for recognition. Copyright 1994 by the University of Chicago.

Suggested Citation

  • Schmitt, Bernd H & Pan, Yigang & Tavassoli, Nader T, 1994. "Language and Consumer Memory: The Impact of Linguistic Differences between Chinese and English," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 21(3), pages 419-431, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jconrs:v:21:y:1994:i:3:p:419-31
    DOI: 10.1086/209408
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Chun & Laroche, Michel & Richard, Marie-Odile, 2017. "The differential roles of verbs, nouns, and adjectives in English and Chinese messages among bilingual consumers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 127-135.
    2. Helene Tenzer & Siri Terjesen & Anne-Wil Harzing, 2017. "Language in International Business: A Review and Agenda for Future Research," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 57(6), pages 815-854, December.
    3. Martin Reimann & Deborah MacInnis & Antoine Bechara, 2016. "Can Smaller Meals Make You Happy? Behavioral, Neurophysiological, and Psychological Insights into Motivating Smaller Portion Choice," Journal of the Association for Consumer Research, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 71-91.
    4. Yu Hu & Yonggui Wang, 2020. "Marketing research in China during the 40-year reform and opening," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-29, December.
    5. Zeugner-Roth, Katharina Petra & Žabkar, Vesna, 2015. "Bridging the gap between country and destination image: Assessing common facets and their predictive validity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(9), pages 1844-1853.
    6. Volkan Dogan & Behçet Yalýn Özkar, 2013. "Investigation of Brand Name-Country of Origin Preference in Four Different Product Groups with Respect to Conspicuous Consumption Tendency," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 3(4), pages 190-203.
    7. Tian, Xiaocong, 2022. "The art of rhetoric: Host country political hostility and the rhetorical strategies of foreign subsidiaries in developing economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(5).
    8. Kum, Doreen & Lee, Yih Hwai & Qiu, Cheng, 2011. "Testing to prevent bad translation: Brand name conversions in Chinese-English contexts," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 64(6), pages 594-600, June.
    9. Cowley, Elizabeth, 2002. "East-West consumer confidence and accuracy in memory for product information," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 915-921, November.
    10. Mead, James A. & Richerson, Rob & Li, Wenjing, 2020. "Dynamic Right-Slanted Fonts Increase the Effectiveness of Promotional Retail Advertising," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 96(2), pages 282-296.
    11. Sourav Bikash Borah & Srinivas Prakhya & Amalesh Sharma, 2020. "Leveraging service recovery strategies to reduce customer churn in an emerging market," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 848-868, September.
    12. Pablo Farías, 2021. "The Local Aspect in the Successful Brands in Latin America: Empirical Evidence of Its Prevalence, the Role of Local and Global Companies, and Its Effect on Consumers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-12, January.
    13. Dwight R. Merunka, 2013. "Reinterpreting cultural priming effects in cross-cultural consumer research," AMS Review, Springer;Academy of Marketing Science, vol. 3(4), pages 232-248, December.
    14. Bathaee, Atieh, 2011. "Culture affects consumer behavior: Theoretical reflections and an illustrative example with Germany and Iran," Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Diskussionspapiere 02/2011, University of Greifswald, Faculty of Law and Economics.
    15. Kevin Lane Keller & Donald R. Lehmann, 2006. "Brands and Branding: Research Findings and Future Priorities," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 25(6), pages 740-759, 11-12.
    16. Cleveland, Mark & Laroche, Michel & Papadopoulos, Nicolas, 2015. "You are what you speak? Globalization, multilingualism, consumer dispositions and consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(3), pages 542-552.
    17. Ruth Pogacar & Michal Kouril & Thomas P. Carpenter & James J. Kellaris, 2018. "Implicit and explicit preferences for brand name sounds," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 241-259, June.

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