Why are certain Japanese questions more polite than others

Certain Japanese questions are more polite than others due to the use of specific language forms called keigo (honorific language), which reflect the social relationship and context between the speaker and listener. Politeness in Japanese questions is influenced by multiple factors, including social hierarchy, the formality of the situation, the relationship between interlocutors, and cultural expectations about maintaining “face” or avoiding imposition.

Key reasons why some Japanese questions are more polite include:

• Keigo forms: Jeopardizing or respecting someone’s “face” is avoided by using different levels of polite language, known as teineigo (polite), sonkeigo (respectful), and kenjougo (humble). The appropriate form is chosen depending on who is being addressed and the relative status. ^{13, 16}

• Social context and relationship: Politeness varies depending on the speaker’s recognition of social position (tachiba) and the situation (bamen). For instance, a question addressed to a superior or a stranger is more likely to use polite constructions than to a close friend or subordinate. ^{11, 16, 13}

• Indirectness and modifying expressions: More polite questions often use indirect forms or soften requests to avoid imposing, such as adding endings like -masu or using more elaborate phrasing to show respect. ^{6, 13}

• Gender and speech style: Female speakers typically use more refined and polite speech forms in questions, reflecting cultural norms around gender and politeness, whereas men may use more direct forms among close social equals. ¹⁵

In summary, Japanese questions vary in politeness primarily because of the embedded honorific language system and cultural norms that prioritize consideration of social hierarchy, relationships, and face-saving strategies in communication. ^{16, 6, 11, 13, 15}

References

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