L2 Learners’ Selection of Formality in Japanese Verbs: Linguistic and Non- Linguistic Factors

Abstract

This study explores how Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL) learners express their own cultures and identities as well as their L1 aspects in L2 Japanese in terms of politeness. Many scholars claim that language reflects the speaker’s culture and identity, so it could be natural for JFL learners to express their cultures and identities in Japanese. Based on the idea, how JFL learners’ non-linguistic as well as linguistic aspects are reflected in their use of Japanese verb forms in terms of formality was examined through an activity called ‘Translation-based Communicative Activity’ in a university-level Japanese class. In the activity, the learners selected verb forms at different levels of politeness according to different social contexts. The participants were 12 international students from 8 different countries studying in Japan. As a result, American, German, and French students tend to show their L1 context (both linguistic and cultural aspects) in expressing politeness in L2. On the other hand, half of the Asian students (Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian) selected the verb forms in the way of the Japanese rather than their own ways. In this paper, we discuss what makes the difference in the students’ selections of the verb forms in each context among different subjects.