2018 Volume 21 Issue 1 Pages 80-95
This comparative study of request discourse in Chinese, Korean and Japanese employs both monitoring and introspective observation. When making a request, one first plans a course of action and then selects the appropriate utterances, and this process is influenced by socio-cultural factors. In Chinese and Korean contexts, there are interdependent relationships not found in Japanese. In China, the function of mutual requests is to promote a relationship known as Guan-Shi, in which requests cannot easily be refused. Typically, request discourse involves a clear description of the requirement and the underlying reason, so that the person being asked can fully understand what is being asked of them. In Korea, where the mutual request system is more stylized than in China, the situation is carefully explained and reference is made to the circumstances of the person being asked. One can refuse such a request, but in that case it is necessary to offer an acceptable reason. In Japan, there are no interdependent relationships based on exchange of requests. Personal requests are considered troublesome. Therefore, requests are expressed indirectly, and the listener has to infer that a request has been made.
