This book explores the perceptions of
politeness-related behaviors in three groups. Two are
groups of Japanese, one of which has been living in
southern communities, while the other has recently
arrived from Japan to study English. The third
community consists of southerners living in McComb
and Jackson, Mississippi. The goal has been to learn
about each groups' views of themselves and the others
in the same domain (i.e. politeness).
The interview findings indicate mutual positive views
held by the American and Japanese participants.
However, a closer look at responses to a set of
discourse completion tasks shows differing patterns
for refusal communications for the Japanese and
American participants. The study shows that the
participants' refusals are influenced by situations,
such as status differences, relationships between
requester and requestee, and high necessity requests.
politeness-related behaviors in three groups. Two are
groups of Japanese, one of which has been living in
southern communities, while the other has recently
arrived from Japan to study English. The third
community consists of southerners living in McComb
and Jackson, Mississippi. The goal has been to learn
about each groups' views of themselves and the others
in the same domain (i.e. politeness).
The interview findings indicate mutual positive views
held by the American and Japanese participants.
However, a closer look at responses to a set of
discourse completion tasks shows differing patterns
for refusal communications for the Japanese and
American participants. The study shows that the
participants' refusals are influenced by situations,
such as status differences, relationships between
requester and requestee, and high necessity requests.