Linguistic Politeness - Article Example

Linguistic Politeness Name Institution Date In the traditional days, it was vital to show honor to fellow compatriots. Most cultures awarded reverence according to age and preeminence. This has not changed so much. All societies in the world have varied techniques of expressing respect and honor. Honorifics are the words that are commonly used by people of a given culture to express their linguistic graciousness. While most western nations may not be very keen on honorifics, some communities take them seriously. The Asian society is one of those that have preserved honorifics across ages. This paper will focus on linguistic politeness in Korean and Thai. It will consider varied methods of showing respect, and how it changes with different circumstances. KOREAN Korea is among the few countries that have a very uniform culture (Weigand, 2008). Their language, dress code, cuisine and culture are very distinct from that of their neighbors. Just like Thai, Koreans are proud of each and every part of their culture. They also derive a lot of pride from their economic success. They place a high value on education; in fact, they believe education is the only way to achieve a good status, and be successful in life [Yoo04]. Koreans and Thais share a lot in the way they pronounce their words. On the contrary words that could have the same pronunciation may still have very different meanings. Although most honorifics of the Korean language differ with Thai, these two societies share a lot. Most English words are usually plain. For example, the word ‘welcome’ will have the same meaning when said to a child, a parent, or a friend. The Korean language does not work like that. Words can be combined with different prefixes or suffixes to imply different things. Language use in Korea can be very formal, semi-formal, or casual, depending on whom you are addressing [Yoo04]. Gamawoyo means thanks. This word can only be used on friends, family members, and peers who are easy going. This is a casual way of saying thank you. When talking to an elder person, or your senior, use the word gamsa hamnida, which means thank you. When in a very formal setting, you will use the word Daedanhee gamsa hamnida. This means thank you very much. Koreans are very sensitive, a simple thank you, gamsa hamnida, instead of thank you very much, daedanhee gamsa hamnida, would seem offensive. ‘Tangsin’ is a pronoun that is commonly used among middle aged and elderly people (Lee & Ramsey, 2001). It is used to express respect among them. It is also used in books when referring to an unspecified person. This word must be used with a lot of care. It may be used to mean that the person you are referring to is of a higher status. This is the pronoun that is nearest to “you” in English. Kwacang-nim is the equivalent of chief. It is one of the highest titles that can be used to address someone [Edd08]. Kwacang is chief, while nim means respected. This suffix, nim, is very helpful in transforming a plain word into a honorific one. For example, instead of just saying hyeng, which means brother, one can say hyeng-nim. Imo is aunt. It looks plain if just said the way it is, one must add the suffix nim to make it appear respectable. In this case, you would say imo-nim. Just like the Thai ‘Wai,’ Korean have a bow. This is their traditional way of passing greetings. In most cases, it is accompanied by a handshake. Respect is shown by supporting the right arm with the left hand while giving a handshake. Korean ladies will offer a slight nod when they offer greetings (Sohn, 2001). This is a way of showing respect. They do not offer handshakes to Western men. Koreans should not be addressed with their given names. Family names are preferred. Their given names can only be used when they invite you to do so. In Korean names, family names start, these are usually common names that must be adopted by all members of that family. A shared given name if followed, then a unique given name is the last name [Yoo04]. For example, Lio (Family name) + Diong (Shared given name) + Weing (Unique given name). In Korea, it is not right to touch someone who is not a close relative. They consider this to be a personal violation. Direct eye contact, especially between a junior and a senior may also send the wrong message [HoM01]. It is usually considered to be a challenge. Korean do not point with the index finger, they also receive and pass items with their right hands, or with both hands. This is very similar to Thais. When it comes to business, Koreans are a bit reserved. They don't derive pleasure from doing business with strangers, or new people. It is always good to make friends with someone before introducing business. Usually, negotiations do not last a single day. You may have to be patient with Koreans; they spend a lot of time when making decisions. This is also similar to Thais. A low bow at the end of a discussion indicated success [Yoo04]. If it is deep, it indicates more success and satisfaction. A short bow would mean that the meeting was not successful and that the person is not satisfied. Time for eating calls for silence. Food is always served after an interactive session. It is not good manners to talk during food time. Women can pour drinks for men, but they cannot do that for their fellow ladies [HoM01]. You can pour drinks to other members of the same table, but do not start by pouring your own drink. Thailand The people of Thailand try to stomach individualism, although they like being in a group. They usually get easy and safe when they are in a clutch of their fellow compatriots [Kha88]. A common expression that you will hear a lot of times is “Mai Pen Rai.” This term means, “Never Mind.” Thais are very hard working people; they believe happiness is the essence of life [Ric05]. This makes them appreciate what they have, and feel satisfied with whatever they have managed to achieve at the end of the day. They are soft spoken and patient people, who are also very slow to anger. They love their culture, and are proud of it. They also feel proud that they were never colonized by a western nation. Honorifics in Thai are based on relationships, social status and seniority (Francopoulo, 2013). The “Wai” gesture is commonly used by Thais in the in their greetings [Tun12]. This is simply a body language that involves bringing your hands together, and bowing down. Your fingers should be pointing the chest. The higher you place it, the more respect you are showing. It is in not culturally right for people from a foreign nation to greet Thai people with a “wai.” However, it is expected that foreigners should respond when greeted with it. Hand shakes would be preferred for foreigners, especially when they have not been offered this gesture [Kha88]. Unlike western nations, you will not give a hand shake to everyone. Hand shakes only work with men. You greet ladies by nodding at them. The ‘wai’ sign is only used on people with equal or higher social status. This means that seniors should not offer wai to their subordinates. This gesture can not be used with children or servants. It would not be appropriate to greet a waiter, or a clerk with it. In such a scenario, you simply nod at them, and offer a warm smile [Gil13]. It is necessary to note that when you offer a wai to a monk, he will not return. That is their custom. The word nong is used to refer to old people, while pee is commonly used while referring to younger people. [Tun12] If you do not know someone, you can call them nong if they are older than you and pee if they are younger. Thai and Korean people share this; they both have words to address people depending on their age and status (Muhriz, 2012). The main variable is that in most cases, Korean language will divide their honorifics into casual, formal and very formal. This means that they always have three levels of honorofics. If you need to attract a waiter’s attention in a hotel, simply wave and put your palm down. You could also say “Nong,” which means brother, if it’s a man, and sister, if it’s a lady [Kha88]. Do not snap fingers to get attention, it is unethical. People eat food using the right hand in Thailand. A man from the western parts of the world would say “Hello” or “Hi.” Thais will not use these same words. They will instead ask you where you are going. If you are new to their culture, you do not have to wonder why they want to know your where about, simply respond by saying you are just strolling down the street. That is as good as saying you are fine. When making an introduction, start by your first name. If you have your friends, or business partners with you, it is ethical to start by introducing them first[Edd08]. Always use the first name. When you have a subordinate or your junior, always start with them. The most senior will be introduced last. Khanittanan says that in most cases, the last name may not be mentioned. It is usually reserved for written forms of communication and very formal occasions. In Thailand, people have not used last names for a long time, like in western nations. Most of these names are usually too difficult even for them to pronounce. Unless someone has a high rank like a doctor, or professor, address them by ‘Khun.’ This is equivalent to “Mr., Mrs., or Miss.” In case you are not familiar with someone’s name, you can also address then as ‘Khun.’If you know the name of someone, refer to them as Khun, then their name. For example, you would say Khun Mary, or Khun John. Never try to touch a monk or even hand them anything. You should also be keen never to touch any lady in public. This is a disgrace. They believe a lady loses respect if a man touches her in public (Watt, Sachiko, & Ehlich, 2005). People of other Asian countries do not have a problem with body contact among the opposite sex in public. This is not allowed in Thailand. It is a taboo. It is believed that ladies lose respect when a man touches them in public. This also means that affection cannot be displayed in public. Thais respect the head. It is sacred. You should never touch the head of anyone, or even pass something above anyone’s head [Kha88]. This is a sign of very grave disrespect. Feet are said to be unclean because they step on the ground. It is not right to point someone with your feet. If you want pass an item to someone using your feet, you are also showing disrespect because you make it unclean by touching it with your feet. You will also be demeaning the person. Feet are the lowest part of your body; hence they are associated with extremely lowly things. Thais smile a lot. A smile does not mean they have welcomed you; it can mean embarrassment, disappointment, thank you or welcome [Tun12]. You should be careful to interpret it well. The left hands should never be used to pass something, and when explaining to someone, do not point with your hands. It is graver to point with your fingers. Conclusion Thai and Korean honorifics are not the same. Each of these societies has words that are more commonly used to show respect. On the other side, Thais and Koreans have the same styles of showing respect. Unlike English, these two languages will use varied sets of prefixes and suffixes to portray a given level of respect. Words will be used according to who you are addressing. A person may use two distinct words to say thank you to a peer, and to a senior. This is unlike English, where ‘thank you’ will always be the same regardless of who you are addressing. A stranger who does not understand any of these two languages may think that they are related. This is especially true if such a person judges by the body language used. Thai and Korean languages have different honorifics, but the same ways of expressing respect. Bibliography Yoo04: , (Yoon, 2004), Edd08: , (Weigand, 2008), HoM01: , (Sohn, 2001), Kha88: , (Khanittanan, 1988), Ric05: , (Watt, Sachiko, & Ehlich, 2005), Tun12: , (Muhriz, 2012), Gil13: , (Francopoulo, 2013), Edd08: , (Weigand, 2008), Read More

Just like the Thai ‘Wai,’ Korean have a bow. This is their traditional way of passing greetings. In most cases, it is accompanied by a handshake. Respect is shown by supporting the right arm with the left hand while giving a handshake. Korean ladies will offer a slight nod when they offer greetings (Sohn, 2001). This is a way of showing respect. They do not offer handshakes to Western men. Koreans should not be addressed with their given names. Family names are preferred. Their given names can only be used when they invite you to do so.

In Korean names, family names start, these are usually common names that must be adopted by all members of that family. A shared given name if followed, then a unique given name is the last name [Yoo04]. For example, Lio (Family name) + Diong (Shared given name) + Weing (Unique given name). In Korea, it is not right to touch someone who is not a close relative. They consider this to be a personal violation. Direct eye contact, especially between a junior and a senior may also send the wrong message [HoM01].

It is usually considered to be a challenge. Korean do not point with the index finger, they also receive and pass items with their right hands, or with both hands. This is very similar to Thais. When it comes to business, Koreans are a bit reserved. They don't derive pleasure from doing business with strangers, or new people. It is always good to make friends with someone before introducing business. Usually, negotiations do not last a single day. You may have to be patient with Koreans; they spend a lot of time when making decisions.

This is also similar to Thais. A low bow at the end of a discussion indicated success [Yoo04]. If it is deep, it indicates more success and satisfaction. A short bow would mean that the meeting was not successful and that the person is not satisfied. Time for eating calls for silence. Food is always served after an interactive session. It is not good manners to talk during food time. Women can pour drinks for men, but they cannot do that for their fellow ladies [HoM01]. You can pour drinks to other members of the same table, but do not start by pouring your own drink.

Thailand The people of Thailand try to stomach individualism, although they like being in a group. They usually get easy and safe when they are in a clutch of their fellow compatriots [Kha88]. A common expression that you will hear a lot of times is “Mai Pen Rai.” This term means, “Never Mind.” Thais are very hard working people; they believe happiness is the essence of life [Ric05]. This makes them appreciate what they have, and feel satisfied with whatever they have managed to achieve at the end of the day.

They are soft spoken and patient people, who are also very slow to anger. They love their culture, and are proud of it. They also feel proud that they were never colonized by a western nation. Honorifics in Thai are based on relationships, social status and seniority (Francopoulo, 2013). The “Wai” gesture is commonly used by Thais in the in their greetings [Tun12]. This is simply a body language that involves bringing your hands together, and bowing down. Your fingers should be pointing the chest.

The higher you place it, the more respect you are showing. It is in not culturally right for people from a foreign nation to greet Thai people with a “wai.” However, it is expected that foreigners should respond when greeted with it. Hand shakes would be preferred for foreigners, especially when they have not been offered this gesture [Kha88]. Unlike western nations, you will not give a hand shake to everyone. Hand shakes only work with men. You greet ladies by nodding at them. The ‘wai’ sign is only used on people with equal or higher social status.

This means that seniors should not offer wai to their subordinates. This gesture can not be used with children or servants. It would not be appropriate to greet a waiter, or a clerk with it. In such a scenario, you simply nod at them, and offer a warm smile [Gil13].

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