Beyond keigo: smooth communication and the expression of respect in Japanese as a Foreign Language

要旨

For foreign learners of Japanese, keigo (honorific language) is one of the most difficult aspects of the language. However, since the early 1990s, sociolinguistic research placing keigo in a much broader context of politeness and respect has been incorporated in writings on honorific language produced by official bodies such as the National Language Research Institute and the National Language Deliberative Council. The new approach takes a much broader idea of ‘‘expressions of respect’’, and emphasizes the role played by respect in ensuring that ‘‘communication progresses smoothly / harmoniously’’ ( komyūnikeeshon ga enkatsu ni susumu ), while deemphasizing hierarchy, relative status and power as determining factors in keigo usage. Recent research in this area has also investigated changes in honorific language usage linked to social changes. JFL teaching needs to take account of these shifts. This paper examines the treatment of honorific language in some English-language JFL textbooks against this background, and makes some suggestions for dealing with politeness and respect in JFL teaching.

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