Language Politeness; a foreigner speaking to a native

[Yasha631]

If I, being American, end up going to Japan, what level of politeness should I use? I have been taught (for verbs) -shimasu endings and desu (ex; ﾂ行窶堋ｫ窶堙懌?堋ｷ, ﾅｽﾃ披?堙??堋ｷ etc.) which I know is more polite in comparison to the dictionary form and 'da'.(ex; ﾂ行窶堋ｭ, ﾅｽﾃ披?堋ｾ etc.) This type of speech is esiest for me, but is it appropriate? Also, should I always address native people honorifically and speak to them formally, even if they were a classmate? I'm curious because I sent in an application for a scholarship to study in Japan, and I wouldn't want to seem rude if I went ^_^. Can ya help me out? ﾂ鞘?｢窶堋ｯ窶堙??ｰﾂｺ窶堋ｳ窶堋｢ﾂ！

 

[ax]

Don't worry too much about politesse. Polish your level of Japanese to a conversant level then you will subconsciously grasp the rigor of Japanese decorum. Its deeply embedded in the verb. So train your verb and be conscious who you talk to. Some teineikei is useful for most occassion, but for your internal mental language, stick with the simplest form.

ax

 

[Maciamo]

Yes, politeness levels don't matter much for foreigners. Even younger Japanese don't care so much. And when Japanese do care, it's about using keigo, with one's superiors in a company, for example. Talking to people in the streets, you can just use any forms you like (well not the strong imperatives like "ike" or "shiro"). Using a lot of "kudasai" and "sumimassen" is enough to sound polite, even using the short form of verbs (suru, iku, taberu...)

 

[Ewok85]

Use what is used on you, you will find that most people your age or near it will use common forms, da etc, while adults and teachers will use polite, humble or honorific (most of the time subconciously, seemingly to make it easier for you to understand which isnt always the case).

 

[jet_dee]

Noone I know speaks masu form, so dictionary form is all I need. To superiors at my hospital I will use masu, but only towards doctors or nurses that are presidents or that are over 40-50 years old. Everyone else is happy with informal speech. To shop assistants and anyone who serves me or who's services I am requesting I use masu, and to everyone in general I add onegaishimasu, or -te kudasai.

Hope that helps

 

[Suki-Yaki]

everyone is polite ..

If you are non-Japanese they don't really care , if you are in the street and asking someone for something then all they will matter is to understand what you are asking for rather than point at your politness level , if you have sufficient japanese they will be rather impressed .

But you should always speak in a polite voice , japanese love it soft and smooth. If you go in high volume without the sumimasens and kudasais , let's not think of that image ...

ofcourse by the time your politness level will naturally adapt , it should. For as you become sufficient in Japanese , it will look impolite if you didn't use the right forms to the right people , ONLY when you are farely sufficient ..

Ofcourse that is only me .

 

[Mike Cash]

It's the old story about the talking dog. It isn't his speaking well that is remarkable, it is the fact that he speaks at all.

 

[budd]

"If I, being American, end up going to Japan, what level of politeness should I use?"
it depends on the person being spoken too, and the occasion
i have had former friends complain that i was being too polite, then get really mad at something i said [that i thought wasn't rude] (whereupon i kick them to the curb and no phone calls or letters are answered)
but that goes for affairs outside of speaking japanese as well, depends on the occasion and the person
good luck

 

[Ewok85]

I think what budd was saying is being too polite is worse than not being polite enough. Take the easy road and just be understood

 

[Yasha631]

I think I get it...!

So what I'm getting from this is that Japanese people will think of me like a stupid foreigner and be amazed that I can communicate at all, and with time and practice, I will better understand how polite I should be, but they won't expect much from me, as of, I'm a dog. I should use the more polite speech since it happens to be easiest for me, but be careful not to be too nice or I'll be forced to kick people upon curbs... Interesting. Okay, okay, in all seriousness, I understand what you're all saying, and thank-you very much! Gar, the JYS people haven't emailed me back yet!!! I'm so nervous ^_^()

 

[budd]

"was saying not being polite enough is worse than being too polite."

 

[Yasha631]

See, this is why I have a hard time understanding Japanese; I often can't correctly read or use my own language. I'm smart like that. ^_^ go me!

 

[ragedaddy]

Yeah, there's a time and place for being polite, but for classmates, it should be in plain form. At first, I kinda got hooked on using the masu form, but now I'm probably almost using plain form, so I guess I went from really polite to really informal, either way I suck at Keigo. I think the only time that you would really have to worry about politeness as if you entered a Japanese company. Keigo is intense yo, and even the Japanese have problems with this form sometimes. Therefore, just enjoy yourself while you are there, and don't forget to party up.....

 

[Elizabeth]

Use what is used on you, you will find that most people your age or near it will use common forms, da etc, while adults and teachers will use polite, humble or honorific (most of the time subconciously, seemingly to make it easier for you to understand which isnt always the case).

Adult friends mostly use the polite masu form with me, everyday forms for emphasis and a softer, more intmate feeling ; the desu ending for something in between this. With them, in turn, I go from masu (majority) to desu and insert more dictionary endings than they do. Basically I'm still experimenting....and still on the look for interested subjects my own age.

 

[Harvey]

Use "窶堙??堋ｷ and 窶堙懌?堋ｷ" and you'll be good to go.