The Use of Kamoshirenai by Japanese Language Learners: Focusing on the Euphemistic Usage

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  • 日本語学習者の「カモシレナイ」の使用実態について : 婉曲表現としての「カモシレナイ」を中心に

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Abstract

Although euphemisms are used by native Japanese speakers on a daily basis without being aware of them, most Japanese language learners find it exceptionally difficult to use them. This paper focuses on the use of kamoshirenai as a euphemism and compares its use between native Japanese speakers and Japanese language learners so as to clarify the actual usage of Japanese language learners. The results of this paper showed that less than 10% of the Japanese language learners use kamoshirenai as a euphemism, compared to approximately one-third of native speakers. Even when used euphemistically by Japanese language learners, they are limited in terms of Japanese language proficiency, meaning-usage and use in situations. If we see it from the perspective of Japanese language proficiency, the use of euphemism mainly occurred among intermediate level learners and above and there were only a few cases of its use by beginner and intermediate level learners. In terms of meaning and usage, [A-2 I Advance Notice a] (expressing consideration for the listener's private territory ) and [A-2 II] (expressing supplementation or concession) were rarely used. Finally, regarding usage situations , Japanese language learners tended to use kamoshirenai in combination with words that convey negative meanings such as "muri" in the "refusal" task, where native speakers used other euphemisms.

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  • 国際文化学

    国際文化学 36 26-42, 2023-03-20

    神戸大学大学院国際文化学研究科

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