Considerate Expressions: A New Perspective on Linguistic Politeness in Japanese

Previous studies on linguistic politeness in Japanese have focused either on the system of honorifics, which reflects an indexical view of politeness, or on polite expressions used in speech acts, which reflect a strategic view. Moreover, such studies have often been influenced by stereotypical views of Japanese culture and have largely overlooked the significant cultural changes that occurred in the 20th century. This study advocates a broader view of politeness in Japanese, grounded in an examination of considerate expressions in the language. We hold that a variety of considerate expressions is key to understanding politeness in Japanese. These include not only honorific expressions, but also various other constructions that function to make the hearer feel good, ultimately fostering interpersonal harmony. The widespread use of considerate expressions can be attributed to the emphasis on harmony in Confucian teachings, which have played a significant role in Japanese culture since their introduction in the fifth century. This offers a more comprehensive account of linguistic politeness in Japanese culture.