의뢰표현 ＜ないでくださいませんか＞의 운용 실태와 표현가치

Abstract

This paper investigates how Naide-Kudasaimasenka, which is the polite form of Naide-Kudasaru, is applied in the real world and how the value of this expression is transmitted by men (as speakers), through 36 examples. The arguments are as follows:(i) The degree of intimacy in the relationship is more significant than human relations itself. This significance of the expression of politeness is used in order to decide the value of the expression. More specifically, under intimate conditions when speakers are close to their listeners, Naide-Kudasaimasenka appears as 'entreaty', 'wish' or 'intimacy', 'anxiety', 'concern'. This is shown in (1)(4)(7)(10)(13)(16), in which men are listeners; and in (19)(22)(25)(28)(31)(34), in which women are listeners. Under the conditions in which speakers are distant from listeners, it appears as 'rage', 'complaint', 'reprimand', or 'rigid inquiry'. This is shown in (2)(5)(8)(11)(14)(17), in which the men are the listeners and in (20)(23)(26)(29)(32)(35), in which women are listeners. However, in cases where the degree of intimacy in the relationship is not identified, it realizes a neutral value of expression, as illustrated in (3)(6)(9)(12), in which men are the listeners, and (21)(24)(27), in which women are the listeners. (ii) Usually, a person of low position uses Naide-Kudasaimasenka for a person in a higher position, but it can be used when the listeners are recognized as equal or in a lower position than the speaker. This is shown in (10)(11), in which men are the listeners and (28)(29), in which women are the listeners. Moreover, it can be also used when the listeners are recognized as being in a lower position than the speaker, as illustrated in (13)(14), in which the men are listeners and (31)(32), in which the women are listeners. These are good examples of features of request expressions, which are closely connected with honorifics resulting from male speakers trying to maintain dignity and establish their authority by keeping their distance from women.