Thanks in Japanese

                                       

                             

 

Contents in Thanks Unit:
This unit contains the ins and outs of thanks in Japanese
as you move through examples and exercises.

 

In the thanking situation, there usually is an imbalance in the relationship between the speaker and the hearer.  The speaker owes a favor to the hearer, as the hearer is doing or has done something for the benefit of the speaker.  By thanking, the speaker expresses his/her feelings of indebtedness as well as those of thanks.  What are some strategies Japanese speakers might use to acknowledge the imbalance?   How do they attempt to remedy the imbalance?  

 

 

 

NOTE: The following exercises can be viewed best by the Internet Explorer Version 5 or higher. If you do not have this program currently installed on your computer, you can download a free copy from the Microsoft site. After downloading, please follow the instructions on the site for installation.

Some of the exercises include MP3 audio files, if you are not able to hear the audio in the exercises, depending on the configuration of your computer, you may be able to download a free MP3 player from one of the following sites: http://www.winamp.com/, http://download.com.com/3150-2199-0.html?tag=dir.

If Japanese characters are not readable, click "View" on the tool bar, select "Encoding," and select Japanese fonts.  The exercises function better by using the Internet Explorer Version 5 or higher on a PC, instead of on a Mac. 

 

 

Exercises 1: Thanks and Apologies in Japanese

            Expressions and feelings of thanks and apologies are very much intertwined in Japanese.  Let’s look at how these feelings are related and what language is used to express thanks, apologies, and both.

 

Go to Exercise 1

 

 


Exercises 2: Observing Thanks in Japanese


There are likely to be cultural differences between your native and target language that you may wish to adjust to as you perform speech acts.  In this exercise, compare your language use in relation to your interlocutor.  Make your own hypothesis as to how your language patterns are likely to shift when you give thanks in Japanese.

Go to Exercise 2

 

Exercises 3: Expressions of Thanks

         

            Let’s review the politeness levels of typical expressions of gratitude and learn to address them to the right person.

 

Go to Exercise 3

 

 


Exercises 4: Functions Performed in Expressing Thanks

 

      Just like apology expressions serve various functions, expressions of thanks also fulfill multiple functions besides showing gratitude.  Being strategic in performing thanks means being aware of these multiple functions that expressions of thanks can serve. 

 

Go to Exercise 4

 

 

Coffee Break

 

Speakers often express their thanks for an offer even if they don’t accept it.

Click Below to Listen to Example

View Description of Situation and Transcript

 

 



Exercises 5: Expressions Before and After Thanking

Just like any other speech acts, thanks often do not stand alone, but come with other speech acts such as apologies and greetings.  Take a look at the strategies that precede and follow expressions of thanks in Japanese.


Go to Exercise 5



 

Exercise 6: Thanks Once Again

 

            In Japanese, you may sometimes be expected to give a follow-up thank you for a favor that you received some time before.  In what instances might this be the case, and what language should be used for this purpose?

 

Go to Exercise 6

 

 

 

Exercise 7: Tone of Thanks

 

      Your tone of voice could make a big difference – it can make your thanks sound heartfelt or insincere.  Listen and practice so that your thanks will signal that you are truly grateful.

 

Go to Exercise 7

 

 

 

 

    Tea Break

 

People who are older or of higher status may sometimes treat you to a meal, so be prepared for these lucky occasions!

 

Giving Thanks to a Senpai         View Transcript

 

Giving Thanks to a Section Chief           View Transcript

 

Giving Thanks to a Department Head         View Transcript

 

 

 

 

Exercises 8-9: Simulation Exercises for Thanking

            Now let’s just practice all that we have learned about thanks!  You will be asked to self-evaluate the thanks you have given in these exercises.

Go to Exercise 8

Go to Exercise 9



 

Exercises 10: Responding to Thanks

          Let’s reverse your role in this exercise and think about how you would respond if somebody is thanking you for what you have done for him/her.  We can be strategic in responding to thanks as well as in giving thanks by becoming aware of certain strategies Japanese speakers are likely to use.

Go to Exercise 10

 Revisiting Useful Links

Ex1 Comments

Ex2 Comments

Ex4 Thanks/Apologies Summaru Chart

Ex5 Strategies Summary

Ex5 Comments

Ex6 Comments

Ex8 Comments

Ex9 Comments

Ex10 Comments

 

Summary of Strategies

          Let’s review all the thanking strategies we have seen in the exercises.  The strategies in red are core thanking strategies, without which your utterance wouldn’t be recognized as thanks.  The strategies appearing in blue are particularly important supporting strategies that can enhance or expand upon your thanks.  You will see in black additional strategies that can also help you perform thanks, but they are not essential.  The strategies in green are general strategies that can be applied not only to thanks but also to other speech acts.

 

 

1.

 Making the thanking statement

·        Making the thanking statement (all exercises)

·        Using appropriate thanking expressions according to the interlocutor and the situation (Ex. 3, 6, 9, all others)

2.

Abiding by the cultural norms for thanking

·        Using the overlapping concepts and expressions of apology and thanks (Ex. 1, 8)

·        Using the multiple functions of expressions of thanks (Ex. 4)

·        Thanking for a previous favor when appropriate (Ex. 6)

·        Using an appropriate number of thanking expressions (Ex. 1, 2, 7)

3.

 Using an appropriate level of politeness throughout the interaction (Ex. 2, 8, 9)

4.

Using pre- and post-thanking strategies

·        Complimenting (Ex. 5)

·        Apologizing (Ex. 5)

·        Expressing surprise and delight (Ex. 5)

·        Promising to repay (Ex. 5)

·        Expressing a lack of necessity or obligation (Ex. 5)

  • Emphasizing the depth of gratitude (Ex. 5, 6, 7, 8)

5.

Using the past tense of certain thanking expressions to conclude the interaction (Ex. 5)

6.

Using an appropriate tone of voice

·        Using intensifiers and pronouncing them emphatically (Ex. 7, 8, 9)

  • Using bows in formal thanks (Ex. 7, 9)

7.

Using some strategies for responding to thanks (accepting thanks, denying thanks, providing further help/invitation) (Ex. 10)

 

 

 

Learning Strategies for All Speech Acts

 

1.

Finding an informant (a native or non-native expert of the culture) who can answer your questions regarding sociolinguistic or sociocultural norms in the target language/culture.

2.

Listening to other speakers carefully to observe the cultural norms and language of their speech.  Making your own hypotheses or hunches regarding appropriate use of the target language and being willing to renew them as necessary. 

3.

Finding resources that can inform you of the target language and culture.

 

 


References

Coulmas (1981), Eisenstein & Bodman (1995), Eisenstein & Bodman (1986), Ide (1998), Kim (1994), Kimura (1994), Kumatoridani (1999), Miyake (1994), Moriyama (1999), Nakata (1989), Ogawa (1995)

View the Annotated Bibliography
of the Articles Used to Create the Exercises

 

 

 

View More Information about Thanks


Go Back to Index