One thing that has always intrigued me about languages in Hawai`i is the differences in linguistic mannerisms across asian languages. There are many different Asian languages and dialects that can be observed here and each one has distinct characteristics that make their language noticeable. This can also be observed through listening to how people imitate certain languages. The way the people imitate chinese people for example, always tends to sound like a string of loud morphemes. The language also seems to not be particularly polite or considerate towards the person they are talking to, unlike their counterparts, the Japanese. But what makes the intonation of speech between languages such as japanese and chinese? Why do chinese and japanese have such different speech mannerisms that can be observed? We know that the reason is the difference in mannerism between cultures, but why are the chinese so much more aggressive than the japanese in speech for example? I decided to examine the reasons for linguistic mannerisms between the japanese and chinese specifically, because i constantly see the large differences between these languages in hawaii.
The Japanese culture is an extremely polite one, with many specific mannerisms one must follow. THe mannerisms are not only physical, but also in large part linguistic. The Japanese have 4 major levels of politeness when they speak to one another. The first level is blunt speech, which is used usually only when one is meaning to sound rude. The second level is that of children's normal speech. THis is how usually only children speak, before they have learned how to properly address others. The next level is 'polite' language/form. This is what is typically used when adults are speaking to one another. THis is also generally what is used when speaking to people of equal status. FInally, there is 'honorifics', which is used when one is speaking to their superior (Allen, 2000). Their tone of voice tends to also be fairly soft and timid. These language mannerisms reflect that overall tendency of the japanese culture…to be extremely polite.
One would think, that since the Japanese originated in Korea, and prior to that, China, that the chinese and japanese language tendencies would be similar. This was the case, during the time of Confucius for example, when a hierarchical system existed in CHina. However, as the culture and government forms have transformed, so have the language mannerisms. After reading background on the chinese language, i understood that in short, the reason why chinese people seem to speak to loud in inconsiderately, because of their current communist culture. During the time of confucius, respect and politeness was emphasized when speaking to others. This concept of respectfulness in chinese is called 'limao'. However, in this new era, much of the respectful language has become obsolete, since the feudal/hierarchical system has been eliminated. The purpose of creating a society without honorifics has been to make a more harmonious society with less relational conflicts (Gu, 1990).
These articles, especially the one on China, helped me to better understand the reason behind why certain cultures have particular language traits, more specific than just their vocabulary or grammar. Most people believe that chinese and japanese speak the way they do, simply because its a part of their 'culture'. However, if you take the time to look deeper into things, you'll find that 'culture', as a reason, simply does not suffice. There is much more detailed reasoning, that one must read and investigate themselves.
Allen, KIm 2000, polite language in japanese
http://eastasianculture.com/resources/LessonPlans/LCOEA/Readings/R26.pdf
Journal of Pragmatics 14 (1990) 237-257 North Holland; Politeness Phenomena in Modern chinese; Yueguo GU
http://kimallen.sheepdogdesign.net/Japanese/polite.html
An introduction to tonal languages; Amy Stafford
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/language/tonal.html
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