Abstract

Consciously or not, the speaker decides not only what to say, but how to say it in any language. In Japanese, there is a linguistic system called keego (honorifics) to be used when speaking politely and deferentially. Consisting of special vocabulary and constructions, honorifics are classified into three major types: exalting words (sonkeego), humbling words (kenjoogo), and polite words (teeneego).