When I first got my Japanese cellphone and started exploring all its features, I was amazed by its library of emoticons. On my American phone, I can probably make about 10 or 11 different emotifaces with a combination of colons, semicolons, asterisks, the letters “d” and “o,” and either parenthesis. On my Japanese phone, I have a whole section of classic and more complex emoticons as well as little pictures of animals, buildings, food, etc. There is sure to be an emoticon that can appropriately enhance any message you write to someone.
For my Reading and Writing Japanese class, I learned a new usage for the phrase 「～の方」”~no hou.” From what I understand, this phrase can be added in certain circumstances for the sole purpose of making a statement more polite. Essentially, (in this context) it holds no meaning whatsoever and only serves as a softener for the statement (which may already be pretty soft in the first place).
In the last month, I’ve only had lunch with my Japanese speaking partner once and run into her once, yet I love her. Why?
As we were making plans through cellphone messages to finally hang out again, I noticed that she usually uses at least one emoticon after every sentence. I think her favorite one is the chick. I thought to myself, “I love her! She is so freaking sweet. Look at this little light bulb she put in!” and it hit me that, just like 「～の方」, emoticons largely serve as a softener for messages. I do it myself, looking for the perfect variation on the “oops” face to make my “I’m so sorry I forgot to message you again!!!!” (a message I oft-send) seem more genuine.
I originally thought that emoticons reflect the Japanese youth’s desire to be fun, cute, and different from their parents’ generation, but now I believe there’s also the deeper, perhaps subconscious “polite” usage that maintains traditional cultural values. But maybe not, cuz my host mom is polite, but she never sends me emoticons in her messages.
No comments:
Post a Comment