配慮表現が人間関係づくりに及ぼす影響― 年代・関係の違いによる日本語ポライトネス表現の比較および考察 ―Influences of Thoughtful Expressions on Human Relationship Development:
A Comparison and Study of Japanese Expressions of Politeness According to Differencesin Age and Relation

Abstract

The main goal of this thesis is to seek gentler expressions for better humanrelationships, and to focus on their usage in daily life. Difficulties in interpersonalcommunication sometimes cause verbal misunderstandings which could result in
distrust and possible breakdowns in human relationships. It is not uncommon for
inadequate communication to lead to the inability to build stronger relationships andbetter relations between countries. What kinds of words and/or expressions should beemployed to make people emotionally involved in interpersonal communicationexchanges and what words and/or expressions are found to be offensive or repulsive? A
study of how to communicate, how to speak and what to express in order to influence
the feelings and actions of others in Japanese is worthwhile.
Chapter 1 focuses on communication and thoughtful expressions, and a discussion
as to why kind and friendly expressions are necessary to cultivate betterrelationships. Chapter 2 focuses on differences in linguistic views between age groups
and genders from a preceding study. Chapters 3 to 6 focuses on data collected from 229
language survey questionnaires from age groups ranging from subjects in their 20s to
70s and with consolidated data analysis and results. At the time of collection, each age
group was further divided into two large groups, with one with younger subjects fromtheir 20s to early 40s and an older group with subjects from their late 40s to 70s. It
could be determined that a difference in usage of words and/or expressions existed
between the two age groups. It could also be assessed that there was a difference inusage between the two large groups some extent. It was supposed that those over their
mid-40s and below them differ due to social backgrounds. One case for the survey isabout a convenience store clerk and a customer meeting for the first time in a shop andinteracting over a shopping bag. The other case was a meeting scene where one person
is reluctant to be invited to an expensive meal. It contains situations in which the otherperson is close or not, and senior to the other, friend or junior to the other. The resultsof this analysis were rather different from what was expected in advance. Younger
people refuse without hesitation to their close friends and in the case that the other issenior, too. They have expressions with apparent thoughtfulness, considering futurerelationships. If the other is not familiar with them, they are deliberate in refusing
their senior counterpart in the situation. However, as a result, it also turned out thatthe expressions to refuse friends are somewhat cold-hearted. Finally, towards all thepeople other than younger people who are not familiar, they are conscious of future
possibilities but clearly refuse expressing politely on the spot.
If their counterpart is older, senior subjects make a rather cold refusal on the spot. Ifthey are familiar with their friends of the same age, they answer in a polite way andexpress their true feelings. No consideration is given to all others except closefriends. It turned out that if the other is even older than them, they would not be able
to meet for a high-priced meal unless they were close to each other. These wereparticularly impressive and surprising results. In Chapter 7, a comprehensive analysisof results is considered from the perspective of politeness as to what kind of thoughtfulexpressions are desirable. Focusing on the data analysis of the language survey, after
considering sympathetic perspectives such as considerate expressions, polite Japanese
expressions, and politeness, it is clear there are differences due to gaps in age and senseof distance in human relationships.
The difference between the two age groups in the results of the language survey
is reflected from a modern social background. There is an increasing demand for warm,people-friendly, thoughtful communication.

Considerate expressions and polite

expressions are based on verbal communication that values an awareness of the feelingsof others. In some cases, those who deliver messages may be under a great deal ofstress. It is necessary to scrutinize the delivery of any information or messages in orderto maintain balanced expressions to be considerate of and kind to others in order tobuild trust and better relationships. However, sending and receiving words and/orexpressions while building and maintaining relationships is the most important
issue. In addition, it is important to work with closely related academic fields such as
cognitive linguistics and psychology, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the use,
importanceand

impactof

thoughtfulexpressions

while

communicatinginJapanese. Another goal of this study is to benefit the local community with further
development of this study in order to facilitate better communication and relationships.