Re-examination of yoroshiku onegaishimasu—The routine formula as the linguistic implementation of one's tachiba-role

Abstract

The present paper re-examines the routine formula, yoroshiku onegaishimasu. This formula was assumed to be initially as an example of Japanese politeness which challenges the principle of Brown and Levinson's Face Threatening Act (FTA), claiming that in many ways, Face Theory does not apply to Japanese politeness. Matsumoto (1988), for example, asserts that the formula is considered to be deferential imposition due to the speaker's dependence upon the hearer's benevolence.However, this paper argues that the formula is the implementation of one's tachiba-role which is mutually recognised between the interactants. Tachiba-roles are extracted through the interaction: what is the aim of the interaction, what social stance the interactants are taking, and what is actually going on in the interaction. They are interpreted as ‘job category, role, responsibility, task, stance’, depending on the nature of the interaction and are of primary importance in considering the occurrence of the formula. Although the formula itself presents a tentative approach, leaving the decision to the hearer, it cannot occur without the recognition of tachiba. This pragmatic condition entitles the speaker to utter the formula, and without it, the formula exercises a reverse effect; it constitutes an imposition by ignoring the interactive process with the hearer.This paper also examines various situations where the formula occurs. It is used not only as a ritualistic greeting, but also as a part of request or as confirmation of a request. Its interpretations vary, depending on how the given interaction proceeds, and its occurrence indicates the closing of a statement.