--- In [email protected], "ai3131" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I was reading a copy of Andrew Horvat's "Japanese Beyond Words" and > therein I read something that caught my attention. > > It is said that, due to the Japanese tendency to avoid as much as > possible the use of personal pronouns in conversation, the following > words are used when asking a favor of someone. > > "Morau" (used when asking a favor of someone who is familiar with > the speaker) > > "Itadaku" (used when asking a favor of someone not familiar with or > of a social rank superior to that of the speaker) > > "Ageru" and "Sashiageru" (used when the speaker offers a favor to > the listener) > > I read in the book that the use of these verbs is part of "natural" > Japanese speech. Is is true or false? > > - Arian I.
I don't think the reason for the use of those verbs is "due to the Japanese tendency to avoid as much as possible the use of personal pronouns in conversation", but the explanations are mostly correct. I'll show you some examples: -Kore moratte ii? (Can I have/take this?) [used between friends or to someone younger or inferior in rank] -Kore itadaite mo iidesuka? (May/Could I have/take this?) [used to someone older or superior in rank or unfamiliar] -Kore ageyouka? (If you want this, it's yours.) [used between friends or to someone younger or inferior in rank] -Kore sashiagemashouka? (Would you like this one?) [used to someone older or superior in rank or unfamiliar] Hope this will help. Kamui ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/9rHolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Japanese_Language/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
