Exercise 2: Observing Requests in Japanese - 2
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Here are some strategies to be noted in this exercise. Strategies in blue are particularly important supporting strategies.
Using an
appropriate level of politeness
Speakers in these situations are likely to use some degree of
honorifics (the desu/masu style) in talking
to a host father/mother. As closeness
develops in the relationship, however, no use of honorifics is also appropriate
as in the third sample dialogue.
In Exercise 1, we have seen that the
age and role/status of the speakers tend to influence
the language more often than the magnitude of the request. The same seems to be true here
as well, because there is little difference in the level of politeness between
Situation 1 (smaller request) and Situation 2 (larger request).
Topic identification,
Checking availability, and Being pessimistic
3週間後の日曜日なんですけど、お父さん、忙しいですよね。 Sanshuukangono nichiyoubi nandesu kedo, otousan, isogashii desuyone.
Notice the three strategies being used here.
1. The speaker identifies
the topic, putting the
hearer on the same page
3週間後の日曜日なんですけど Sanshuukangono nichiyoubi nandesu kedo
This is a commonly used strategy, useful
in various situations.
この前のテストのことなんですけれども kono maeno tesutono koto nandesu
keredomo ‘About the last test’ (in speaking to a college professor)
来週の会議の件なんですが raishuuno kaigino ken nandesuga ‘About next week’s meeting’ (in talking to a boss)
Listen to how these expressions sound.
2. The speaker checks the
hearer’s availability (お父さん、忙しいですよね otousan, isogashii desuyone) even before making the actual request. This is a face-saving strategy that helps the
speaker to avoid asking a request that is impossible for the hearer to comply
with.
Listen to some other examples of this strategy.
3. While checking the hearer’s availability, the
speaker is also being pessimistic (お父さん、忙しいですよね otousan,
isogashii desuyone ‘You are going to be busy, aren’t you?’). This makes the
speaker sound hesitant and humble, good qualities in making a request in
Japanese.
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