韓國語における配慮表現 - 日本語と比較して -

A Comparative Study of Expressing Considerate Attitudes between Korean and Japanese Speakers

The present research explores differences and similarities in the expressions of considerate attitudes between Korean and Japanese speakers. More specifically, this study attempts to explain differences in producing topics and responses in first encounters between the two in terms of politeness. The findings of the research can be summarized as follows: (ⅰ) Japanese speakers' overuse of polite expressions are vague and off point. This can be explained in terms of a face-saving act in the sense that Japanese speakers do not attempt to impose their ideas and opinions upon interlocutors, and (ⅱ) Korean speakers use clear and definite expressions, compared to Japanese speakers. It appears that Koreans when expressing positive attitudes to the other party attempt to make their ideas and opinions clear and explicit as a way of establishing a strong relationship. This research shows that pragmatic use of languages reflected in the expressions of considerate attitudes is different between Korean and japanese, in spite of the grammatical similarities between the two languages. This suggests that a comparative study of language use in terms of pragmatics and sociolinguistics is a prerequisite to a better understanding of the cultures and societies of Korea and Japan.