Faculty Publications
Document Type
Article
Keywords
politeness theory; language ideology; workplace communication; business etiquette; Japanese
Journal/Book/Conference Title Title
Multilingua: Journal of Cross-Cultural and Interlanguage Communication
Volume
32
Issue
2
First Page
225
Last Page
245
Abstract
In recent years, politeness theory has increasingly focused on speakers’ own conceptualizations of polite behavior, viewing politeness concepts as a type of language ideology. This article examines the construction of Japanese politeness concepts in the business etiquette training provided for new employees in Japanese companies. Drawing on participant-observation of business etiquette seminars offered by five training companies, it analyzes how employees are taught to show deference through appropriate honorific use, to speak in ways which are seen as kind or considerate, and to speak and move in ways the instructors define as ‘beautiful.’ The analysis demonstrates how etiquette training conflates displays of deference, kindness, and demeanor, training new employees in an interactional presentation of self designed to promote a positive corporate image. The analysis of politeness as language ideology reveals how local constructions of politeness can serve larger strategic ends, in this case those of corporate image-making.
Department
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology
Original Publication Date
2-2013
DOI of published version
10.1515/multi-2013-0011
Repository
UNI ScholarWorks, University of Northern Iowa, Rod Library
Copyright
©2013 De Gruyter. The copyright holder has granted permission for posting.
Date Digital
2013
Language
EN
File Format
Recommended Citation
Dunn, Cynthia Dickel, "Speaking politely, kindly, and beautifully: Ideologies of politeness in Japanese business etiquette training" (2013). Faculty Publications. 1.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/sac_facpub/1
Comments
First published in Multilingua, v. 32 n. 2 (2013), pp. 225-245, published by De Gruyter. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/multi-2013-0011
The final publication is available at www.degruyter.com