英文摘要 |
'気遣い (Kidukai)'', ''心遣い (Kokorodukai)'', ''気配り(Kikubari)'', and ''心配り (Kokorokubari)'', which express consideration, thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and care respectively. These phrases frequently said and heard in Japanese society express similar sentiments with slight and subtle differences in semantics and usage that are usually insufficiently interpreted or distinguished in dictionaries. To explore the differences, we made an attempt to compare the implicit semantics and common usages of these four phrases from a pragmatic viewpoint, the results of which are listed below: (I). Semantically, phrases led by the character ''気 (ki)'' such as ''気遣い (Kikudai)'' and ''気配り (Kikubari)'', andphrases led by character ''心 (kokoro)'', such as ''心遣い (Kokorodukai)'', ''心配り (Kokorokubari)'', and phrases ending with ''遣い (dukai)'', such as ''気遣い (Kikudai)'' and ''心遣い (Kokorodukai)'', express the same meaning. (II). Distinguished by its recipients, phrases led by the character ''気 (ki)'', such as ''気遣い (Kikudai)'' and ''気配り (Kikubari)'' are usually directed towards all subjects. But, when ''気遣い (Kikudai)'' is expressed as ''concern'' or ''worry'', such concern is often directed at a single or several subject(s). ''気配り (Kikubari)'', on the other hand, expresses care to a large group of subjects or the general public in a certain category. ''心遣い (Kokorodukai)'' and ''心配り (Kokorokubari)'' are generally used to express care and concern to specific individuals or groups. (III). In terms of personal relationships with others, phrases ending with ''配り (kubari)'', such as ''気配り (Kikubari)'' and ''心配り (Kokorokubari)'', are often used to express the concern of causing inconvenience or unpleasantnessto others, and active expressionwell-wishes. Therefore, these phrases are usually directed to a specific counterpart. Phrases ending with ''遣い (dukai)'', such as '気遣い (Kikudai)'' and ''心遣い (Kokorodukai)'', are used to express other people's concern for the speaker. (IV). For concerns and sentiment, phrases led by ''気 (ki)'', such as ''気遣い (Kikudai)'' and ''気配り (Kikubari)'' are used to indicate the speaker's awareness of something and his effort to please the receiver. Phrases led by ''心 (kokoro)'', such as ''心遣い (Kokorodukai)'' and ''心配り (Kokorokubari)'', on the other hand, are expressions of active concern towards the sentiments of the receiver. (V) In usage, ''気遣い (Kikudai)'' is often a tender, subtle and casual expression of care. ''心遣い (Kokorodukai)'' expresses ''warmth'' and well wishes. ''気配り (Kikubari)'' expresses attentive care, and ''心配り (Kokorokubari)'' expresses subtle warmth. (VI). Inlevels of care, ''心遣い (Kokorodukai)'' is higher than ''気遣い (Kidukai)'' and ''心配り (Kokorokubari)'' higher than ''気配り (Kikubari)''. |