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Comparing politeness in English and Japanese.
Graduation Thesis
Presented to
The Faculty of the Department of
English Language and Literature
Notre Dame Seishin University
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirement for the Degree
Bachelor of Arts
By
Eri Tamura
2012
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ContentsChapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Introduction1.2 Aspects of communicative competence
1.2.0 Introduction1.2.0.1 Sociolinguistic Competence1.2.0.2 Discourse Competence1.2.0.3 Strategic Competence
1.2.1 Politeness1.3 Style
1.3.1 Japanese politeness style and English politeness style1.4 Research questions1.5 Conclusion
Chapter 2: The experiment2.1 Introduction2.2 The experiment
2.2.1 Introduction to the experiment2.2.2 Method
1) Subjects2) Test design the experiment3) Procedure
2.2.3 Results2.3 Summary
Chapter 3: Discussion of the experiment3.1 Introduction3.2 Summary of the results3.3 Detailed Discussion of the results
3.3.1 Research question 1: How do Japanese speakers choose which request to use given the difficulty of the request and the relative status of the requester?
3.3.2 Research question 2: Do Japanese and English speakers share the same level of politeness in their own language for various kinds of requests?
3.3.3 Research question 3: Is there a difference in the choice of requests between Japanese and English speakers in regards to their reception of the relative status level?
3.4 Implications3.5 Limitations of the Experiment3.6 Further research3.7 Conclusion
References
Appendices
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AbstractIn the future, English communication will be more important than
now. When we communicate with people from another, the point is not only to transfer information but also we to make friendly relations without misunderstandings thorough English. Nevertheless there are many Japanese who learn English, but don’t know the difference of culture. This is the problem which now confronts us.
In Chapter 1, we looked at communication. This section defines the roll of communication and the problem of intercultural communication. We have to learn about some contents before we discuss the politeness such as communicative competence, register, and style. We compare politeness style between Japanese and Native speaker too.
In Chapter 2, we look experiment .In this section, at first it is explained about experiment such as subjects, the way of collecting data and contents of experiment. Then, we looked the result of the experiment. The experiment was three sections. First part questions are about subject’s consideration about honorifics. The second part and the third part aimed to find out the difference of tendency between Japanese and English speakers concerning honorifics.
In Chapter 3, we discuss the result of the experiment. We look the result carefully, and find the difference and problem from the difference. Japanese and English speaker consider work place boss as their superior. Japanese consider their parents and elder sister and brother as their superior, however they don’t use honorific expressions to them. We cannot see this tendency about English speaker. Japanese consider and use honorific expressions to elder person too. On the other hand, English speaker don’t consider friend as superior, but 40% of them use honorific
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expressions to them. Japanese don’t use honorific expressions to friend. These point is big different between two language.
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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 IntroductionCommunication is the activity of conveying meaningful information
to someone and being understood by them. There are various kinds of information for conveying or receiving by communication such as feelings, will, thinking and knowledge. We can convey or receive information by words, expressions, and gesture. Language is one type of communication. It is the main means for humans to communicate with other people because we can understand the speaker’s thoughts, feelings and so on. When we speak to other people, the way we talk is very important in order to have a good relationship or make things go well. Language has polite expressions as a means to express politeness.
Globalization has been increasing in recent years. There has been increasing cultural exchange and transportation services have improved, so many people visit foreign countries for business, travel or study. It has become important to consider language as a cultural system and to investigate the issues about intercultural communication. Politeness is different in each culture because each culture has its different viewpoint. Therefore, people may not be able to use the viewpoint of their first language when they use polite expressions in a second language.
One cultural group may violate the politeness rule of another cultural group unknowingly because their cultural rule is less visible which can lead to misunderstandings and stereotypes. It is essential to explain the systems underlying politeness within a culture. By investigating this we can not only help to make clear the nature lying human social interaction but also enables people to obtain new ways of thinking, sense
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of values and a world outlook from people from various cultural backgrounds.
One major factor in developing smooth communication is communicative competence. Communicative competence is the ability to use language correctly and appropriately. Style is a way of expressing something that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period. In the next two sections we will discuss these aspects of politeness.
1.2 Aspects of communicative competence1.2.0 Introduction
Communication competence consists of Grammatical Competence, Discourse Competence, Sociolinguistic Competence, and Strategic Competence.
Linguistic/ Grammatical Competence
Linguistic competence is the knowledge how to use the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary of a language (Keatley and Kennedy, 2003). Grammatical competence is the ability to recognize linguistic code including vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and word formation and produce the distinctive grammatical structures and to use them effectively in communication. Today, it is called Linguistic Competence.
Example: She have a sister. →She has a sister.
Sociolinguistic Competence
“Sociolinguistic Competence means using and responding to language appropriately, given the setting, the topic, and the relationships
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among the people communicating” (Keatley and Kennedy, 2003). “It is the ability to interpret the social meaning of the choice of linguistic varieties and to use language with the appropriate social meaning for the communication situation” (Keatley and Kennedy, 2003). It includes knowledge of speech acts such as persuading, apologizing, and describing. Register belongs within Sociolinguistic Competence.
Register
Register is a variety of a language used for a particular purpose or in a particular social setting and is therefore part of Socio-Linguistic Competence. In short, it means choosing appropriate language for the context. We often use formal, informal or neutral expressions depending on the occasion. Selecting the right language for the right situation is important in our life. Not only do we have to learn the grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation we also need to make sure that we use it appropriately and in the right context.
Consider the following sentences:a. Would you like a cup of coffee?
b. Joe-coffee?
c. Can I get you a coffee?
The first is the most formal expression, so we would use (a) to a boss or senior. (b) is an informal expression. We don’t use this expression for people more senior than us. We use this expression for friends or close person. (c) is neutral, so this expression use for someone who we don’t know well.
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How about the following scenario?Your brother has a brand new sports car and you’d like to borrow it. Which
would you use?
a. Lend me your car, will you?
b. I was wondering if I might use your car.
c. Could I borrow your car?
The first (informal) will probably get the answer ‘no’ (or worse) – remember the car is new and special. The last (neutral) sentence might be more appropriate in this situation. If your brother is unlikely to want to lend then you may need to try the second which is the most formal.
The things to consider are:
・The relationship・The nature of the request, the offer etc.・How difficult it would be for the person to agree, offer, perform etc.Here the relationship is very close but the nature of the request is difficult and the person may be reluctant – the car is both new and prized.
Discourse Competence
“Discourse Competence is knowing how to interpret the larger context and how to construct longer stretches of language so that the parts make up a coherent whole” (Keatley and Kennedy, 2003). It is the ability to grasp the connection the sentence and scene correctly, and then communicate it accurately.
Example: A big earthquake happened in Tohoku. I heard the news
today. It was shocking news.
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A big earthquake, the news, it shows the same meaning. Discourse Competence means the ability to understand these three words shows the same thing. Moreover, it means knowing how meanings fit together both coherently (making sense) and cohesively (grammatically well linked).
Strategic Competence
“Strategic Competence is knowing how to recognize and repair communication breakdowns, how to work around gaps in one’s knowledge of the language, and how to learn more about the language and in the context” (Keatley and Kennedy, 2003). It is the ability to use strategies like gestures or “talking around” and unknown word in order to overcome limitations in language knowledge. For example, the expressions such as “Excuse me?” or “In other words”. People use “Excuse me?” when they want speaker to repeat again, and they use gestures in order to make other people understand well.
1.2.1. Politeness
Linguistic politeness refers to language usage which enables smooth communication between conversational participants according to the norms of social interaction in a particular contextual situation within a given speech community. This is often achieved through the appropriate choice of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies. Verbal communication means that the process of sending and receiving messages with words, including writing and sign language. Non-verbal communication means that behaviors such as blushing, crying, laughter, manual communication and facial expression.
There are negative politeness and positive politeness. Brown and
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Levinson say that “Negative politeness is redressive action addressed to the addressee’s negative face: his want to have his freedom of action unhindered and his attention unimpeded.” (1987: 129) This thought reminds us first in any society when people consider relationship with other people. Expression which is not pushy and gives room for declining. Brown and Levinson define that “the appreciation of the alter’s wants in general or to the expression of similarity between ego’s and the alter’s wants.” (1987: 101) That is the attitude to confirm awareness of companion by respecting receiver’s character and share knowledge or desire. Calling someone by their first name is in order to emphasize awareness of companionship and it shows interest and an intention of of cooperation. It is considered as positive politeness by telling jokes or praising.
Compare Register with Politeness
Register and politeness need appropriate language use for the context. Register means the action of choosing the appropriate language for the context. It is skill to use language depend on the occasion or person who talk to. Politeness means one of languages in order to have good relationship. In short, politeness is tool to express speaker’s consideration.
Japanese has been described as a language that is highly dependent on context. Honorifics are one of the noticeable features of the language. Usami (2002: 5) referred to several major factors have been described as influencing honorific use.
1) variables contributing to the social identity of the interlocutors, such as age, social status, and social roles (superior/ inferior relationships);
2) social distance (in-group/ out-group relationships) and
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3) the setting involved, such as formality or casualness.Among these, the most crucial contextual features that are
reflected in linguistic usage are age and social status, which must be denoted by honorifics, yielding super-polite, polite, and non-polite forms. Thus, in order to speak grammatically, Japanese speakers must be sensitive to issues of an interlocutor’s age and social status as well as other aspects of the social context. Virtually every utterance in Japanese requires a choice among honorific or speech levels, and so a Japanese sentence is ever so socially neutral.
1.3 StyleStyle is way of expressing something that is characteristic of a
particular person or group of people or period. Style is distinctive for each person be cause people grow up different environments.
1.3.1 Japanese politeness style and English politeness style
Japanese keep receiver at arm’s length by using honorific expressions in order to protect the receiver’s negative face. Negative face is the desire that people do not want to infringe on the territory by other people, that is, it means not to approach thoughtlessly each other by keeping distance. Historically and socially, Japanese people consider relationships by status is important such as superior and subordinate. In language use, Japanese keep in mind this distance, so they tend to attach importance to negative politeness. On the other hand, English tends to shorten the distance with receiver by showing closer feelings such as calling people by their first name or showing interest in the receiver. English tends to attach importance to positive politeness.
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In Japan, a factor which influences expressions is a relationship with other people. Depending on the person, Japanese uses polite expressions or casual expressions. If somebody one is talking to is superior, they use polite expressions. On the other hand, if somebody is junior or subordinate, they use casual expressions.
In-group or Out-group is also factor. In-group means people who are close to oneself such as family, relatives and friends. In short, people who know each other well and do not need attention. Out-group people are superiors or people who you meet for the first time. When English Speakers of Japanese asks his wife to make a coffee, he uses honorific expressions. Regardless of the position of somebody to talk to, they attach great importance to the degree of the request. If the request gives partner a lot of trouble, they use honorific expressions. However, the case which the request is easy or trouble free, they use casual expressions and say them more directly.
1.4 Research questionsJapanese culture greatly values age and experience. Thus, when
two people meet for the first time, it is a cultural norm that the older person should receive some kind of respect regardless of their social status such as employer/ employee or professor/ student. Since this standard is shown in rules of honorific usage and respect for the elder must be denoted in one’s speech regardless of one’s actual feelings. This thesis will research whether this matter is correct, and will look at the difference from the English speaker’s register.
Research Questions:
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1. How do Japanese speakers choose which request to use given the difficulty of the request and the relative status of the requester?
2. Do Japanese and English speakers share the same level of politeness in their own language for various kinds of requests?
3. Is there a difference in the choice of requests between Japanese and English speakers in regards to their perception of the relative status level?
1.5 ConclusionToday is the age of internationalization and the chance to
communicate with foreigners will increase, so English education which adopts the viewpoint of intercultural communication will become more important. Even a person who has enough high score in English qualifying examination, they sometimes come across some problems which they will never come across in communication with people who have same culture. There are many people who feel that communication in English or getting along with foreign people is hard to deal with. This problem caused from feeling a sense of strangeness or unpleasantness from the different culture. Sometimes this problem hinders communication. Communication has the function not only to transmit of information but also to build or maintain relationships with others. This thesis will look for the factors which Japanese speaker misunderstands English Speakers, and where the Japanese feel uncomfortable with English Speakers. In order to compare Japanese and English, we will look result of the questionnaire in Chapter 2.
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Chapter 2: The Experiment
2.1 IntroductionIn Chapter One we discussed the honorific expressions problem
when Japanese people have communication with Britain and the United States in English. There are some differences of consciousness between Japanese and Britain and United States. Therefore, in this chapter we will see what differences exist between Japanese people and Britain and the United States in order to clarify the problems.
2.2 The Questionnaire
2.2.1 Introduction to the experiment
The aim of questionnaire was to know find out the different points of consciousness between Japanese and English speaker and to know when, who, and what situation Japanese people and English Speaker use honorific expressions. The questionnaire in this thesis focused on requests to determine if Japanese and English have a different system of honorific expressions for requests. However, requests have a similar system, so requests are easy to compare in the two languages.
2.2.2 Method
1) Subjects
In order to collect the data a questionnaire was given to a total of 33 subjects from various backgrounds. These were separated by age into younger to elder, and their education level. There were 28 Japanese
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subjects and 5 English speakers. Three of English speakers were university teacher, and the others were teaching English in English school. They live in Okayama.
2) Test design-the experiment
The questionnaire had two sections. The first section was number 1 to number 18 which were designed to find out about their identity and background. Some people may change their attitude depending on the person or situation so this section asks about formal and casual situations when people order, ask, apologize or appreciate use. The second section is questions from number 19 to number 36 which find out about who and in what situation subjects use honorific expressions. The situations were supposed to be about easy, middle and difficult situations. The person making the request is divided low, middle and upper.
3) Procedure
I distributed the questionnaire and subjects answer and explained the meaning of questions and the way to answer them. I sent the questionnaire to English Speakers by e-mail, and then received the answer. I compare the Japanese data and English Speaker’s data, and found the differences.
2.2.3 Results
In this section, we will first look at the data from Questions 1~18 which asked about basic information describing subjects’, and their consideration about politeness. Then, we will look at the data from Questions 19~36 which attempt to find out the different between Japanese and English speaker.
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Questions 1~18
Q1. Who would you consider as your superior?
Table 1: The percentage of Japanese and English Speaker who consider certain people as their superior.
Japanese
English Speaker
Professor 50% 60%Work place boss 83% 80%Grand parents 64% 60%Parents 64% 60%Elder person 93% 60%A person who has more experience than you
71% 60%
Stranger 21% 20%Elder sister, brother 25% 20%Friend 7% 0%A person who has less experience than you
4% 0%
Shop assistant 0% 0%Younger person than you 0% 0%
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Younger sister, brother 0% 0%Child 0% 0%
Table 1 shows us that 93% of Japanese would consider an elder person as their superior and 80% of English Speakers would consider a workplace boss as their superior.
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Q2. Who do you use honorific expressions with?
Table 2: The percentage of Japanese and English Speakers who use honorific expressions with various people
Japanese English Speaker
Professor 57% 60%Work place boss 89% 80%Grand parents 15% 40%Parents 7% 40%Elder person 86% 60%A person who has more experience than you
78% 60%
Stranger 32% 60%Elder sister, brother 11% 20%Friend 7% 40%A person who has less experience than you
7% 0%
Shop assistant 46% 40%Younger person than you 7% 0%Younger sister, brother 0% 0%Child 0% 0%Table 2 shows us that Japanese people often use honorific expression to workplace boss and Elder person and English Speaker often use honorific expression to workplace boss.
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Table 3: The age of subjects18~2
526~3
536~4
546~5
5e.56
~Japanese 29% 29% 21% 14% 7%English Speaker
0% 0% 75% 25% 0%
Table 4: Education level of subjectsJunior high
schoolSenior high
schoolUniversit
yPost
graduateJapanese 7% 50% 43% 0%English Speaker
0% 0% 62% 38%
Table 4 shows that most of the subjects have a Japanese education level at senior high school and university. On the other hand, English Speaker’s education level is university.
Table 5: The percentage of people who are good at using honorific expressions and not good at using.
Yes NoJapanese 25% 75
%English 100 0%
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Speaker %
Table 5 shows that English Speakers consider they are good at using honorific expressions.
Q6. Do your parents usually use honorific expressions with you?
Table 6: The percentage of people who their parents usually use honorific expressions with them.
Yes
No No Answer
Japanese 0%
100%
0%
English Speaker
0%
80% 20%
Table 6 shows that Japanese and English Speaker’s parents don’t use honorific expression usually.
Q7. Do you like honorific expressions?
Table 7: The percentage of people likes honorific expressions.Yes No No
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AnswerJapanese 47
%53%
0%
English Speaker
80%
0% 20%
Table 7 shows that about half of the Japanese like honorific expression and 80% of English Speakers like honorific expressions.
Q8. Why do you use honorific expressions?Table 8: The reasons subjects use honorific expressions.
Japanese English Speaker
To show respect for another person 75% 60%To show own modesty 25% 20%To appeal to your education level 4% 0%Because using honorific expressions is common in society
53% 40%
Other reason 0% 40%
Table 8 shows that 75% of the Japanese and 60% of the English Speakers
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use honorific expressions to show respect for other person. The reasons given as ‘other’ include a) it’s the most appropriate in certain situation, and b) they can also indicate distance from another person if they’re having a problems with them. In other words, they can be used to fight or show disagreement.
What degree of formal expressions would you use when you face the following situations? (Question 9~18)
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Q9 In a family restaurantTable 9: Degree of expressions Japanese and English Speaker use in a family restaurant
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Ordering food 0% 20% 80% 0% 21% 64% 11% 4%
Complaining about the food is cold 0% 100% 0% 0% 14% 43% 32% 11%
Apologizing for breaking a glass 100% 0% 0% 0% 71% 25% 4% 0%
Appreciating the good taste 20% 20% 60% 0% 32% 54% 14% 0%
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Q10 In a taxiTable 10: Degree of expressions Japanese and English Speaker use in a taxi
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----------Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Telling the direction 0% 20% 80% 0% 29% 53% 18% 0%
Complaining about the rough drive 25% 50% 25% 0% 21% 36% 25% 18%
Apologizing for dropping food on the floor 75% 25% 0% 0% 64% 32% 4% 0%
Appreciating safe driving 0% 75% 25% 0% 35% 50% 11% 4%
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Q11 In a business hotelTable 11: Degree of expressions Japanese and English Speaker use in a business hotel
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Making a reservation 25% 75% 0% 0% 36% 64% 0% 0%
Complaining about dirty room 0% 100% 0% 0% 15% 35% 35% 15%
Apologizing for canceling your reservation 75% 0% 25% 0% 67% 29% 4% 0%
Appreciating thoughtfulness 25% 50% 25% 0% 46% 43% 7% 4%
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Q12 In a casual fashion shopTable 12: Degree of expressions Japanese and English Speaker use in a casual fashion shop.
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Asking the price 0% 25% 75% 0% 14% 71% 11% 4%
Complaining about damaged clothes 25% 75% 25% 0% 18% 40% 32% 10%
Apologizing for returning clothes 75% 25% 0% 0% 53% 40% 7% 0%
Appreciating good advice 25% 50% 25% 0% 29% 53% 18% 0%
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Q13 In a supermarketTable 13: Degree of expressions Japanese and English Speaker use in a supermarket
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Asking where the ketchup is 0% 25% 75% 0% 18% 68% 14% 0%
Complaining about the wrong change 25% 75% 0% 0% 11% 39% 46% 4%
Apologizing for breaking eggs 100% 0% 0% 0% 64% 36% 0% 0%
Appreciating carrying heavy shopping to my car 75% 25% 0% 0% 53% 40% 7% 0%
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Q14 In a stylish caféTable 14: Degree of expressions Japanese and English Speaker use in a stylish café.
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Ordering green tea 0% 75% 25% 0% 15% 75% 7% 3%
Complaining about the green tea is cold 25% 50% 25% 0% 15% 32% 46% 7%
Apologizing for spilling green tea 75% 25% 0% 0% 53% 47% 0% 0%
Appreciating good service 25% 50% 25% 0% 32% 57% 11% 0%
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Q15 In a very expensive clothes shop
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Ordering a suit made to order 0% 100% 0% 0% 40% 57% 0% 3%
Complaining about the floor is slippery 25% 50% 25% 0% 18% 53% 29% 0%
Apologizing for returning clothes 75% 25% 0% 0% 61% 32% 7% 0%
Appreciating good design 25% 75% 0% 0% 32% 64% 4% 0%
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Q16 In a high quality restaurantTable 16: Degree of expressions Japanese and English Speaker use in a high quality restaurant.
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Ordering foods 0% 75% 25% 0% 36% 64% 0% 0%
Complaining about the inside of the restaurant is cold 0% 100% 0% 0% 25% 64% 11% 0%
Apologizing for breaking a dish 75% 25% 0% 0% 75% 21% 4% 0%
Appreciating good taste 25% 75% 0% 0% 40% 57% 3% 0%
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Q17 In a first-class hotelTable 17: Degree of expressions Japanese and English Speaker use in a first-class hotel
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Making a reservation 0% 75% 25% 0% 40% 60% 0% 0%
Complaining about dirty room 25% 50% 25% 0% 21% 43% 29% 7%
Apologizing for breaking the door 100% 0% 0% 0% 29% 18% 3% 0%
Appreciating thoughtfulness 25% 75% 0% 0% 46% 50% 4% 0%
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Q18 In a department storeTable 18: Degree of expressions Japanese and English Speaker use in a department store
English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal ----Casual4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1
Ordering new item 25% 0% 75% 0% 32% 64% 4% 0%
Complaining about damaged goods 25% 75% 0% 0% 18% 35% 29% 18%
Apologizing for dropping goods 50% 50% 0% 0% 68% 32% 0% 0%
Appreciating detailed account 25% 25% 50% 0% 32% 53% 15% 0%
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Questions 19~36In this section, the terms Low, Same and Upper are used. Low means low status person such as subordinate, younger sister, people who younger than requester, brother, child and so on. Same means same status person such as friends, stranger, colleague and so on. Upper means people more senior than us - for example, professor, work place boss, parents and so on. These status levels were used to determine what level of politeness was used by each status group.
Low-easy question means the situation which people ask easy question to low status person. Same-easy question means the situation which people ask easy question to same status person. Upper-easy question means the situation which people ask easy question to person more senior than them.
Low-middle question means the situation which people ask middle difficult question to low status person. Same-middle question means the situation which people ask middle difficult question to same status person. Upper-middle question means the situation which people ask middle difficult question to person more senior than them.
Low-difficult question means the situation which people ask difficult question to low status person. Same-difficult question means the situation which people ask difficult question to same status person. Upper-difficult question means the situation which people ask difficult question to person more senior than them.
The following table shows how the questions asked in the appendix were rated in terms of difficulty of request and the relative status.
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Table 19Status level
Low Same Upper
Diffi
culty
of r
eque
st
Easy
Q21; asking to leave the luggage at
the left luggage counter
Q29: asking brother for a stapler
Q23: asking shop assistant to
tell the way to Kinkakuji
Q35: asking friend to borrow
eraser
Q31asking teacher to open the
door
Q33: asking stranger senior than
you to pull down the window
shades
Mediu
m
Q25: asking junior friend to drop a
letter in to a mail box
Q27: asking bank clerk to make your
new account
Q19: asking friend to borrow
20 yen
Q28: asking your twin
brother to vacuum clean your
room
Q20: asking teacher to write
bigger letter
Q30: asking your work place boss
to borrow an umbrella
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Difficul
t
Q24: asking your younger colleague to
work by substitute
Q32: asking beautician to change the
reservation of hair dresser on next
Sunday.
Q26: asking your sister to
lend thousand yen
Q34: asking stranger to give
his seat to you
Q22: asking doctor to help you
when you had a flat tire
Q36: asking work place boss to
let you go home early
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Easy Requests
Table 20English Speakers Japanese
Formal -----Casual Formal -----Casual
4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1Low 10
%10%
60%
20%
23%
27%
5% 45%
Same 20%
10%
70%
0% 23%
28%
27%
22%
Upper
40%
30%
30%
0% 59%
35%
4% 2%
Table 20 shows us that 45% of Japanese use casual expression (level 1) to low status, and 23% of them use formal expressions (level 4), 27% of them use formal expressions (level 3). On the other hand, 20% of English speaker use casual expressions (level 1) and 60% of them use casual expressions (level 2). To the same status person, about same percentage Japanese choose formal expressions and casual expressions, and 70% of English speaker choose casual expressions (level 2). To the upper status person, about 90% of Japanese choose formal expressions, and 40% of English speaker use Formal expressions.
Middle difficulty requests
Table 21English Speaker Japanese
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Formal -----Casual
Formal -----Casual
4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1Low 0% 70
%30% 0
%5% 43
%43%
9%
Same 0% 0% 100%
0%
0% 0% 73%
27%
Upper
40%
30%
30% 0%
62%
38%
0% 0%
Table 21 shows that 70% of English Speakers use formal expressions (level 3) and 30% of them use casual expressions (level 3) to Low status person. 43% of Japanese use formal expressions (level 3) and 43% of them use casual expressions (level 2). To the same status person, 100% of English speakers use casual expressions (level 2) and 73% of Japanese use casual expressions (level 2). To the upper status person, 40% of English speaker use Formal expressions (level 4) and 30% of them use formal and casual expressions (level 3, level 2). 62% of Japanese use formal expressions.
Difficult requests
Table 22: About difficult requestsEnglish Speaker Japanese
Formal -----Casual
Formal -----Casual
4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1Low 70
%30%
0% 0%
28.5%
43% 28.5%
0%
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Same 40%
20%
40%
0%
30% 21.5%
21.5%
27%
Upper
40%
20%
40%
0%
73% 27% 0% 0%
Table 22 shows us that 70% of English speakers use formal expressions (level 4) and 43% of Japanese use formal expressions (level 3). 28.5% of Japanese use formal expressions (level 4) and 28.5% of them use casual expressions (level 2) to low status person. To same status person, 40% of English speakers use formal expressions (level 4) and 40% of them use casual expressions (level 2). 30% of Japanese use formal expressions (level 4) and 21.5% of them use formal expressions (level 3) 21.5% of them use casual expressions (level 2) and 27% of them use casual expressions (level 1). To upper status person, 40% of English speaker use formal expressions (level 4) and 20% of them use formal expressions (level 3). 40% of them use casual expressions (level 2). 73% of Japanese use formal expression (level 4).
2.3 SummaryWe have looked at result of questionnaire of 28 Japanese and 5 English Speakers. I realized that Japanese consider that older people are superior, so they tend to use formal expressions to them regardless of the difficulty of requests. Japanese use formal expressions with low status person if they don’t know well about addressor, and they aren’t close with addressor. On the other hand, for English speakers this is not common, as they use formal expressions to Low status person, too. We will analyze these results in more detail and compare the Japanese style and English Speaker’s style,
38
then discuss the difference between the two. Finally, we will find the problem from the difference and find the solution in the next chapter.
39
Chapter 3: Discussion
3.1 IntroductionIn Chapter One we clarified the definition of communication,
communicative competence, politeness and style. Style is different for each person, on the other hand, about politeness, each language has different viewpoint. I mentioned that this different view point of politeness may lead to stereotypes or misunderstandings. In Chapter Two, we saw the results of the questionnaire. Now we will discuss and analyze the questionnaire to find different viewpoints of politeness expressions between Japanese and English Speakers.
3.2 Summary of the resultsThe consciousness of who is considered their superior by Japanese
and English speakers is different. Most Japanese think that an elder person is superior, but most English speakers chose Work place boss as superior. 29% of the Japanese subjects age were 18~25 years old, 29% were 26~35 years old, 21% were 36~45 years old, 14% were 46~55 years old, and 7% were over 56 years old. 75% of English speaker subjects’ ages were 36~45 years old and 25% were 46~55 years old. Many Japanese subjects think it is hard for them to use and about half of them don’t like honorific expressions, but all English speaker subjects think that they good at using honorific expressions and 80% of them like honorific expressions. The reasons why subjects use them were 75% of Japanese and 60% of English speakers answered to show respect for another person.
3.3 Detailed discussion of the results
40
In this section, we look at the questionnaire results in detail and find the answer to the three research question.
3.3.1 Research Question 1: How do Japanese speakers
choose which request to use given the difficulty of the request
and the relative status of the requester?
The data in Table 21 shows that 93% of subjects consider Elder person is superior and 86% of the subjects use honorific expressions with Elder person. This is the second highest percentage in Line B. The highest percentage in Line B is work place boss, and in Line A Work place boss is the second highest percentage. It means that this result was influenced of social status.
Table 21 shows that 64% of the subjects consider Parents and Grandparents as their superior. However, only 7% of them use honorific expressions with their parents and 15% of them use them with grandparents. This tendency is common for Elder sister and brother. Subjects consider Elder sister and brother as their superior, but only 11% of them use honorific expressions. It may be related to social distance such as in-group and out-group. No one considers shop assistant as superior, but 47% of the subjects use honorific expressions. In Table 21, Column A shows that percentage they consider as their superior. Column B shows that percentage they use honorific expressions with who.
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Table 21: The percentage of Japanese consider as their superior and who they use honorific expressions with.
A B
Professor 50%
57%
Work place boss 83%
89%
Grand parents 64%
15%
Parents 64%
7%
Elder person 93%
86%
A person who has more experience than you
71%
78%
Stranger 21%
32%
Elder sister, brother 25%
11%
Friend 7% 7%
A person who has less experience than you
4% 7%
Shop assistant 0% 46
42
%
Younger person than you 0% 7%
Younger sister, brother 0% 0%
Child 0% 0%
The data in Tables 19-21 show that how Japanese subjects change their manner most Japanese speak to suit the occasion such as social status of the addressee and difficulty level of the request. In Tables 19-20, the politeness level is shown by number. Number 4 is the most polite and 1 is the most casual expression. Table 19 is about easy level requests. The data in Table 19, show 45% of Japanese subjects chose the most casual expression. On the other hand, Table 20 and 21 of middle and difficult level requests, no one chose casual expressions. Moreover, Table 19 shows that most Japanese subjects chose formal expressions except for 6%. 23% of the subjects chose the most formal expression and 27% of the subjects chose level 3. This result means Japanese choose not only social status but also in-group and out-group.
3.3.2 Research Question 2: Do Japanese and English
speakers share the same level of politeness in their own language
for various kinds of requests?
Japanese honorific system is consisting of the three parts of teineigo (polite forms), sonkeigo (respectful or exalting forms), and kenjogo (modest or humble forms), with bikago (beautifying or soft terms).
Honorific addressee-related: teineigo (-masu, desu, gozaimasu)
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expressions referent-related: sonkeigo (ossharu, o+V-stem+ninaru) kenjogo (mosu, o+V-stem+suru)
English doesn’t have such a complicated and systematic system such as Japanese honorific expressions. However, English has language to express speaker’s respect for a person, and there are a lot of expressions and system to express their respect. English express politeness in phrase and sentence. From following below Japanese and English speakers share nearly the same level of politeness in their own language.
Below is the relative ranking of politeness of request forms both in Japanese and English (Hill et al., 1986)1- When being least polite/ uninhibited2- When being most polite/ careful of your speech
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3.3.3 Research Question 3: Is there a difference in the
choice of requests between Japanese and English speakers in
regards to their perception of the relative status level?
Table 2 shows that 40% of the English speakers use honorific expressions with their Grandparents, Parents and friend. This is a big difference because only 7% of Japanese use honorific expressions with Parents and Friend, and only 15% of them use with Grandparents.
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However, a high percentage of both of Japanese and English speakers use honorific expression with Professor and Work place boss. It means they are conscious of the relative status level.
Question 9~18 are the situation which subjects are customers. These questions can be divided into high rank, middle rank and low rank. Q15 (expensive clothes shop), Q16 (high quality restaurant), and Q17 (first class hotel) are high rank store. Q14 (stylish café) and Q18 (department store) are middle rank store. Q9 (family restaurant), Q10 (taxi), Q11 (business hotel), Q12 (casual fashion shop), Q13 (supermarket) are low rank store.
In Table 21, about half of the Japanese use honorifics with shop assistant, but 80~90% of them didn’t chose casual expressions in Q9~18 except when complaining about something to the shop or hotel and so on. Compared with Q9 and Q16, we can find register is important. Q9 is set in a situation in a family restaurant, and Q16 is in a high quality restaurant. 80% of the English speakers use casual (level 2) expressions when ordering food and 20% of them use formal (level 3) expressions. On the other hand, in a high quality restaurant, 75% of them use formal (level 3) expressions and 25% of them use casual (level 2) expressions. This means English speakers change the degree of the expressions depending on the addressee.
3.3.4 Summary
The Japanese and English language systems cannot only be divided between grammatical systems, but also by the use of sociolinguistic strategies. Sociolinguistics is the study of how people use language to interact in certain situations. In this thesis, we looked at the difference of
46
politeness between Japanese and English speakers. Japanese tend to use casual expressions with their family and person who they know well such as friends. However, they consider their family who are senior to them as superior. From this point point of view, Japanese choose their manner of speaking depending on the social distance of relationship. They use honorific expressions to low status person when they ask easy request if they don’t close with the addressor. We could see the same tendency with English speakers. They keep distance with the people who they don’t know well, so they use polite expressions with shop assistants though they don’t consider them as a superior. The difference between Japanese and English speaker is whether they use honorific expressions with their family.
3.4 ImplicationsJapanese learners of English should be conscious that language has
function not only to convey the information but also personal relations. English education in Japan should placed more weight on conveying information than on personal relations.
3.5 LimitationsIn Chapter 2, we look at the results of experiment, but the English
speaker subjects live in Japan and most of them teach Japanese English, so they often communicate with Japanese. The educational level of the English speakers was university, on the other hand, 50% of Japanese subjects level are senior high school. These may influence the result. From the results of Qs9~18, no English speakers chose casual expressions. The difference of their educational level might have caused this result. Subjects should same educational level.
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3.6 Future ResearchThis thesis topic is about politeness which focuses on language
communication. Polite expressions are not only expressed by using language but also attitude. In this thesis, we recognized that it is important to find the difference of personal relationships between English speakers and Japanese. To have good relationship with other cultures is difficult if two sides can’t understand each culture and their habits. We should research more about experiences which Japanese cause a misunderstanding when they communicate with English speakers, and Japanese feel uncomfortable through communicate with English speakers. From this result, we can discuss the difference of culture not limited politeness.
3.7 ConclusionWhen Japanese learn English, we should not only consider English is
a means to convey the information but also to built up and maintain a relationship. Recently, Japanese use words such as ‘international understand’ or ‘intercultural understand’. In order to success it, Japanese should recognize own country’s culture, then learn other country’s culture. When Japanese communicate with other culture people, they should be conscious of the cultural differences.
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References
Hori, M. Tuda, S. Otuka, Y. Murata, Y. Sigemitu, Y. Otani, M. Murata, K. 2006.
ぽライトネスと英語教育. ひつじ書房
Keatley, K and Kennedy, D 2003 Teaching Goals and Methods. Goal: Communicative Competence. Accessed on 24 October 2011<http://www.nclrc.org/essentials/goalsmethods/goal.htm>
Unknown Author. 2011. What is grammatical competence? Accessed 4 November 2011http://www.sil.org/lingualinks/languagelearning/otherresources/gudlnsfralnggandcltrlrnngprgrm/whatisgrammaticalcompetence.htm
Usami, M. 2002. Discourse Politeness in Japanese Conversation. ひつじ書房.
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Appendices
Appendix A : English Questionnaire
I search about honorific expression. I would like to know the difference of
consciousness between Japanese and English Speaker (English). Please answer
following question without nervousness.
1. Who is your superior? Please choose.
Professor
Work place boss
Grand parents
Parents
Elder person
A person who has more experience than you
Stranger
Elder sister, brother
Me Friend
Shop assistant
Younger person than you
Younger sister, brother
Child
2. Who do you use honorific expressions to? Please choose.
Professor
Work place boss
Grand parents
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Parents
Elder person
A person who has more experience than you
Stranger
Elder sister, brother
Me Friend
Shop assistant
Younger person than you
Younger sister, brother
Child
3. Age
a. 18~25 b. 26~35 c. 36~45 d. 46~55
e. 56~
4. What is your education level?
a. Junior high school b. Senior high school
c. University d. Post graduate
5. Are you good at using honorific expressions?
Yes No
6. Do your parents often use honorific expressions to you?
Yes No
7. Do you like honorific expressions?
Yes No
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8. Why do you use honorific expressions?
a. To show respect for another person
b. To show own modesty
c. To appeal to your education level
d. Because using honorific expressions is common in society
e. Other reason ( )
・ What degree of formal expressions do you use when you face the following
situation?
9. In a family restaurant very formal
casual
Ordering food 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Complaining about the food is cold 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Apologizing for breaking a glass 4-------------3-------------
2-------------1
Appreciating the good taste 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
10. In a taxi
Telling the direction 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Complaining about the rough drive 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Apologizing for dropping food on the floor 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Appreciating safe driving 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
11. In a business hotel
Making a reservation 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
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Complaining about dirty room 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Apologizing for canceling your reservation 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Appreciating thoughtfulness 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
12. In a casual fashion shop
Asking the price 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Complaining about damaged clothes 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Apologizing for returning clothes 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Appreciating good advice 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
13. In a supermarket
Asking where the ketchup is 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Complaining about the wrong change 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Apologizing for breaking eggs 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Appreciating carrying heavy shopping to my car 4-------------3-------------
2-------------1
14. In a stylish cafe
Ordering green tea 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Complaining about the green tea is cold 4-------------3-------------
2-------------1
Apologizing for spilling green tea 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Appreciating good service 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
15. In a very expensive clothes shop
Ordering a suit made to order 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
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Complaining about the floor is slippery 4-------------3-------------
2-------------1
Apologizing for returning clothes 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Appreciating good design 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
16. In a high quality restaurant
Ordering foods 4-------------3-------------
2-------------1
Complaining about the inside of
the restaurant is cold 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Apologizing for breaking a dish 4-------------3-------------
2-------------1
Appreciating good taste 4-------------3-------------
2-------------1
17. In a first-class hotel
Making a reservation 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Complaining about dirty room 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Apologizing for breaking the door 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Appreciating thoughtfulness 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
18. In a department store
Ordering new item 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
Complaining about damaged goods 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
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Apologizing for dropping goods 4-------------3-------------
2-------------1
Appreciating detailed account 4-------------3-------------2-------------1
19. You had tried to make a copy and open your wallet, but you did not have small
change. You would like to borrow 20 yen from your friend. What would you say?
a. Lend me 20 yen.
b. Can you lend me 20 yen?
c. Do you mind if I borrow 20 yen?
d. May I borrow 20 yen?
20. During a class, you have trouble to see letter of white board. You will ask your
teacher to write bigger letter, what would you say?
a. Write bigger letter.
b. Can you write bigger letter?
c. Do you mind if I ask you to write bigger letter?
d. May I ask you to write bigger letter?
21. You bought a lot of goods at your favorite store. You want to go around more
another store, but the luggage is heavy. If you would like to leave the luggage at the
left-luggage counter, what would you say?
a. Keep this luggage.
b. Can you keep this luggage?
c. Do you mind if I leave this luggage?
d. May I leave this luggage?
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22. You had a flat tire. There was unknown place. You find small hospital. When you
ask the doctor to help you, what would you say?
a. Help me?
b. Can you help me?
c. Do you mind if I ask you to help?
d. May I ask you to help me?
23. You would like to Kinkakuji, but you got lost in strange place. You found
convenience store. When you ask a shop assistant the way to Kinkakuji, how would
you say?
a. Tell me the way to Kinkakuji.
b. Can you tell me the way to Kinkakuji?
c. Do you mind if I ask the way to Kinkakuji?
d. May I ask the way to Kinkakuji?
24. You are working student. You have class in the day which you are going to work.
You want younger colleague to work by substitute. When you ask him, what would
you say?
a. Work by substitute.
b. Can you work by substitute?
c. Do you mind if I ask you to work by substitute?
d. May I ask you to work by substitute?
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25. Your junior friend are going to go supermarket, so you will ask her to drop a letter
into a mail box which near to the supermarket. What would you say?
a. Drop this letter.
b. Can you drop this letter?
c. Do you mind if I ask you to drop this letter?
d. May I ask you to drop this letter?
26. You had gone shopping with your sister, then you found lovely bag. You are two
thousand yen short in order to buy the bag. You want your sister to lend money. What
would you say?
a. Lend me eight thousand yen?
b. Can you lend me eight thousand yen?
c. Do you mind if I borrow eight thousand yen?
d. May I borrow eight thousand yen?
27. You want to have an account with a bank. When you ask a bank clerk to make
your new account, what would you say?
a. Make a new account.
b. Can you make a new account?
c. Do you mind if I ask you to make a new account?
d. May I ask you to make a new account?
28. In your house, your twin brother is vacuum cleaning his room. You want him to
vacuum clean your room. What would you say?
a. Vacuum clean my room.
b. Can you vacuum clean my room?
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c. Do you mind if I ask you to clean my room?
d. May I ask you to clean my room?
29. You finished writing a paper, then you want to staple papers together. However,
you cannot find own staple, so you would like to borrow the staple from your younger
brother. What would you say?
a. Lend me your stapler.
b. Can you lend me your stapler?
c. Do you mind if I borrow your stapler?
d. May I borrow your stapler?
30. One morning, it was sunny, so you haven’t bring umbrella to your work place.
When you tried to go back home, it began to rain. Your boss has two umbrellas. If you
borrow an umbrella from your boss, what would you say?
a. Lend me your umbrella.
b. Can you lend me your umbrella?
c. Do you mind if I borrow your umbrella?
d. May I borrow your umbrella?
31. You hold an armful of books, so you cannot open the door. Teacher walked up to
you just the right moment. If you ask teacher to open the door, what would you say?
a. Open the door.
b. Can you open the door?
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c. Do you mind if I ask you to open the door?
d. May I ask you to open the door?
32. You made a reservation of hair dresser on next Sunday, but you have business
that day. Therefore, you would like to change the date to this Sunday. What would
you say?
a. Change reservation to this Sunday.
b. Can you change reservation to this Sunday?
c. Do you mind if I change reservation to this Sunday?
d. May I change reservation to this Sunday?
33. In the train, the sunlight had dazzled your eyes, so you decided to ask a strange
man who is sitting down next to you to pull down the window shades. What would
you say?
a. Pull down the window shades.
b. Can you pull down the window shades?
c. Do you mind if I ask you to pull down the window shades?
d. May I ask you to pull down the window shades?
34. You got on the train, and all the seats are taken. You injured your leg, so you have
difficult to stand. A young man was sitting a priority seat. You want young man give
his seat to you. What would you say?
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a. Give your seat.
b. Can you give your seat?
c. Do you mind if I ask you to give your seat?
d. May I ask you to give your seat?
35. During class, you realized that you had forgot your eraser. When you borrow
eraser from your friend, what would you say?
a. Lend me your eraser.
b. Can you lend me your eraser?
c. Do you mind if I borrow your eraser?
d. May I borrow your eraser?
36. You work in a company. One day, you are in poor health. However, the day is very
busy. You want to go home early and ask your boss that. What would you say?
a. Let go home.
b. Can you let me go home?
c. Do you mind if I go home?
d. May I go home?
That’s all. I deeply appreciate your cooperation. Thank you so much.
Notre Dame Seishin University Eri Tamura
60
Appendix B* the Japanese questionnaire.
卒業論文に関するアンケート
私は現在、日本人と英米人の敬語（丁寧表現）をつかう状況の違いを調べています。以下
の質問にあなた自身についてあてはまるものに丸を付けてください。なお、このアン
ケート結果は卒業論文での研究目的以外では使用いたしません。ご協力お願いします。
１．あなたにとって、目上の人とは誰ですか？あてはまるものを○で囲ってください。
教授
仕事場の部長
先輩
祖父母
両親
年上の人
自分よりも経験のある人
見知らぬ人
兄・姉
自分 友人
自分より経験の少ない人
後輩
店の店員
自分より年下の人
妹・弟
こども
２．あなたは誰に対して敬語をつかいますか？あてはまるものを○で囲ってください。
教授
仕事場の部長
先輩
祖父母
両親
年上の人
自分よりも経験のある人
見知らぬ人
兄・姉
61
自分 友人
自分より経験の少ない人
後輩
店の店員
自分より年下の人
妹・弟
こども
３．あなたの年齢
a. １８～２５ b. ２６～３５ c. ３６～４５ d. ４６～５５ e. ５６以上
４．学歴
a. 中卒 b. 高卒 c. 大卒 d. 院卒
５．あなたは敬語をうまくつかいこなせていると思いますか？
a. はい b. いいえ
６．あなたの両親はあなたに対していつも敬語をつかいますか？
a. はい b. いいえ
７．あなたは敬語をつかうことが好きですか？
a. はい b. いいえ
８．あなたは何のために敬語をつかうのですか？
a. 他者に敬意を表すため b. 自分の謙虚さを表すためc. 自分の教養を表すため d. 敬語をつかうことは常識だからe. その他（ ）
・以下の状況であなたはどの程度の丁寧表現・敬語をつかいますか？
９．ファミリーレストランで 敬語（丁寧表現） くだけた言い方食べ物を頼む 4------------3------------2------------1料理が冷めているとクレームを言う 4------------3------------2------------1グラスを割ってしまって謝る 4------------3------------2------------1おいしい料理だったのでお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
62
１０．タクシーに乗った時
目的地を伝える 4------------3------------2------------1荒い運転を注意する 4------------3------------2------------1ドアをぶつけてしまったことを謝罪する 4------------3------------2------------1安全運転で送ってもらいお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
１１．ビジネスホテルで
電話で予約をとる 4------------3------------2------------1部屋が汚いとクレームをつける 4------------3------------2------------1予約を急にキャンセルしてしまったことを謝る 4------------3------------2------------1対応がよかったのでお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
１２．カジュアルな服の店で
値段を聞く 4------------3------------2------------1買った商品がほつれていたとクレームを言う 4------------3------------2------------1試着で服を破いてしまったので謝罪する 4------------3------------2------------1自分に合う服を選んでくれたのでお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
１３．スーパーマーケットで
ケチャップの場所を尋ねる 4------------3------------2------------1お釣り返し間違いを注意する 4------------3------------2------------1卵を割ってしまったので謝る 4------------3------------2------------1車まで重たい荷物を運んでもらってお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
１４．おしゃれなカフェで
コーヒーを頼む 4------------3------------2------------1コーヒーがぬるかったのでクレームを言う 4------------3------------2------------1コーヒーを床にこぼしてしまったので謝罪する 4------------3------------2------------1気の利いた接客にお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
１５．高級な洋服店で
オーダーメイドのスーツを注文する 4------------3------------2------------1床が滑りやすくて転んだので注意する 4------------3------------2------------1服を返品してしまったことを謝罪する 4------------3------------2------------1自分に合った服を選んでくれたのでお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
63
１６．高級レストランで
食べ物を頼む 4------------3------------2------------1料理が冷めていたのでクレームを言う 4------------3------------2------------1お皿を割ってしまったので謝る 4------------3------------2------------1おいしい料理だったのでお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
１７．高級ホテルで
予約を取る 4------------3------------2------------1部屋が汚いとクレームを言う 4------------3------------2------------1ドアを壊してしまったので謝る 4------------3------------2------------1丁寧な接客にお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
１８．デパートで
商品の場所を尋ねる 4------------3------------2------------1不良品だったので交換してもらう 4------------3------------2------------1商品を落として割ったので謝罪する 4------------3------------2------------1商品について詳しく説明してくれたのでお礼を言う 4------------3------------2------------1
１９．学校でコピーをしようと思い財布を開けると小銭がなかったため、一緒にいた友
人に２０円貸してもらいたいと思っています。何と言って頼みますか。
a. ２０円貸してb. ２０円貸してもらえる？c. ２０円貸してもらえますか？d. ２０円貸していただけませんか？
２０．授業中、黒板の字が小さくて見えづらいとき、先生に何と言って頼みますか。
a. もう少し大きな字で書いてb. もう少し大きな字で書いてもらえる？c. もう少し大きな字で書いてもらえますか？d. もう少し大きな字で書いていただけませんか？
64
２１．あなたは買い付けの店で買い物をしました。ちょっとよそへ廻るのでこの荷物を
預かってもらう場合、店の人に何と言って頼みますか。
a. 少しの間この荷物を預かっておいてb. 少しの間この荷物預かっておいてもらえる？c. 少しの間この荷物を預かっておいてもらえますか？d. 少しの間この荷物を預かっておいていただけませんか？
２２．あなたの近所の人が急病になりました。近所のお医者さんの家に行くと、お医者
さんが玄関へ出てきました。この近所のお医者さんにすぐ来てもらうには何と言って頼
みますか。
a. 近所の人が急病なので、すぐに来てb. 近所の人が急病なので、すぐに来てもらえる？c. 近所の人が急病なので、すぐに来てもらえますか？d. 近所の人が急病なので、すぐに来ていただけませんか？
２３．旅行に行った土地で道に迷ってしまいました。近くのコンビニに行って、店の人
に目的地までの道のりを尋ねるとき、何と言って尋ねますか。
a. ～までの道のりをおしえてb. ～までの道のりを教えてもらえる？c. ～までの道のりを教えてもらえますか？d. ～までの道のりを教えていただけませんか？
２４．あなたはアルバイトをしています。バイトを入れている日に授業の補講が入り、
どうしても出勤できないため、同じバイト先の後輩に代わりに入ってもらえないか頼む
場合、何と言って頼みますか。
a. ～日のバイト代わりに入ってb. ～日のバイト代わりに入ってもらえる？c. ～日のバイト代わりに入ってもらえますか？d. ～日のバイト代わりに入っていただけませんか？
２５．後輩がスーパーまでお茶を買いに行くというので、ついでにスーパーの隣にある
郵便ポストへ手紙を投函してもらいたい場合、何と言って頼みますか。
a. ついでにこの手紙も郵便ポストに入れておいてb. ついでにこの手紙も郵便ポストに入れておいてもらえる？c. ついでにこの手紙も郵便ポストに入れておいてもらえますか？d. ついでにこの手紙も郵便ポストに入れておいていただけませんか
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２６．あなたは姉と買い物に行き、あるお店でとてもかわいいバッグを見つけました。
そのバッグを買うには２万円足りませんでした。姉に２万円借りるために何と言ってた
のみますか。
a. ２万円貸してb. ２万円貸してもらえる？c. ２万円貸してもらえますか？d. ２万円貸していただけませんか？
２７．新しく口座を作りたいとしたら、銀行員に何と言って頼みますか。
a. 新しく口座を作ってb. 新しく口座を作ってもらえる？c. 新しく口座作を作ってもらえますか？d. 新しく口座作を作っていただけませんか？
２８．兄が家の廊下で掃除機をかけていたので、ついでに自分の部屋も掃除してもらい
たい場合、何と言って頼みますか。
a. ついでに私の部屋も掃除機かけておいてb. ついでに私の部屋も掃除機かけておいてもらえる？c. ついでに私の部屋も掃除機かけておいてもらえますか？d. ついでに私の部屋も掃除機かけておいていただけませんか？
２９．課題のレポートを書き終わって、ホッチキスで綴じようと思ったらホッチキスが
見当たらなかったため隣の部屋にいた弟に貸してもらおうと思います。何と言って頼み
ますか。
a. ホッチキス貸してb. ホッチキス貸してもらえる？c. ホッチキス貸してもらえますか？d. ホッチキス貸していただけませんか？
３０．朝は晴れていたので、傘を持たずに家を出たら、仕事から帰るときに雨がどしゃ
降りになっていた。たまたま傘を２つ持っていた上司がいたので傘を貸してもらう場合、
何と言って頼みますか。
a. 傘を１つ貸してb. 傘を１つ貸してもらえる？c. 傘を１つ貸してもらえますか？d. 傘を１つ貸していただけませんか？
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３１．沢山の本で手がふさがっているときに、ちょうど先生が教室のドアの前にいたの
で、ドアを開けてもらう場合、何と言って頼みますか。
a. ドアを開けてb. ドアを開けてもらえる？c. ドアを開けてもらえますか？d. ドアを開けていただけませんか？
３２．あなたが行きつけのヘアサロンで、来週の日曜日に予約をしていましたが、その
日に別の断れない用事が入ったため今週の日曜日に急遽変更してもらう場合、何と言って
頼みますか。
a. 今週の日曜日に変更してb. 今週の日曜日に変更してもらえる？c. 今週の日曜日に変更してもらえますか？d. 今週の日曜日に変更していただけませんか？
３３．電車の中で日差しがまぶしかったので、窓際に座っている隣の年配のおじさんに
ブラインドを下げてもらいたい場合、何と言って頼みますか
a. ブラインドを下げてb. ブラインドを下げてもらえる？c. ブラインドを下げてもらえますか？d. ブラインドを下げていただけませんか？
３４．あなたは満員電車に乗っています。足をけがしたため立っていると痛むので、優
先座席に座っている若者に席を譲ってもらう場合、何と言って頼みますか。
a. 席を譲ってb. 席を譲ってもらえる？c. 席を譲ってもらえますか？d. 席を譲っていただけませんか？
３５．学校の授業中、消しゴムを家に忘れてきてしまったことに気が付きました。隣に
いる友達に消しゴムを借りるとき、何と言って頼みますか。
a. 消しゴムを貸してb. 消しゴムを貸してもらえる？c. 消しゴムを貸してもらえますか？d. 消しゴムを貸していただけませんか？
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３６．あなたは、会社に勤めています。とても忙しい日に仕事にならないほど体調が悪
くなり、早めに帰らしてもらいたいとき何と言って頼みますか。
a. 早めに帰らしてb. 早めに帰らしてもらえる？c. 早めに帰らしてもらえますか？d. 早めに帰らしていただけませんか？
以上でアンケートは終わりです。ご協力ありがとうございました。
ノートルダム清心女子大学 ４年 田村 恵理
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