Analysis of Consideration Expressions as Social Etiquette in Japanese Refusal

Abstract

This study aims to find out and analyze the types of hairyo hyougen (consideration expressions) used as shakoujirei (social etiquette) in Japanese refusal situation. The use of shakoujirei is then analyzed from politeness strategies by Brown & Levinson (1987) and contrasted with the expressions that are not used as shakoujirei. Thus, there are differences between expressions that are used as shakoujirei with non-shakoujirei expressions. This study is a descriptive qualitative study. The data were collected using a note-taking technique from Japanese dramas entitled Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun and Watashi ga Renai Dekinai Riyuu. The results of the study show that there are 33 consideration expressions used as shakoujirei. Meanwhile, there are 9 consideration expressions that are not used as shakoujirei. Although shakoujirei were found using negative politeness strategies, the most widely used strategy was the positive politeness strategy for the hearer (H-PF). In the non-shakoujirei consideration expressions, there were found used as sarcasm and flattery for the interlocutor, so there are no politeness strategies found in it which is named as Bald on Record (BOR). Therefore, the differences can be seen from the presence and absence of consideration for maintaining good relations with interlocutor, both when refusing and after refusal.