Transitional Periods in Japanese Honorific Language
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Hillary Crane and Amy Orr
Subject Area
Anthropology
Description
Entering the workforce and going through business etiquette training is a significant part of gaining cultural capital and receiving recognition as a participant within Japanese society. This can be represented through the linguistic forms son-keigo and kenjougo, which signify humility and restraint in respect to the speaker’s relationship with the listener. However, young adults have reported distress around their usage of advanced keigo. This study aims to better understand the transitional period into adulthood by observing the attitudes and experiences of young adults entering the workforce, concluding that honorific speech is a compulsory performance of Japanese business culture that youth are beginning to opt out of by choosing opportunities presented by international relations and new technology.
Recommended Citation
Curry, Grace, "Transitional Periods in Japanese Honorific Language" (2023). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 42.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2023/all/42
Transitional Periods in Japanese Honorific Language
Entering the workforce and going through business etiquette training is a significant part of gaining cultural capital and receiving recognition as a participant within Japanese society. This can be represented through the linguistic forms son-keigo and kenjougo, which signify humility and restraint in respect to the speaker’s relationship with the listener. However, young adults have reported distress around their usage of advanced keigo. This study aims to better understand the transitional period into adulthood by observing the attitudes and experiences of young adults entering the workforce, concluding that honorific speech is a compulsory performance of Japanese business culture that youth are beginning to opt out of by choosing opportunities presented by international relations and new technology.
