Emic conceptualisations of (im)politeness and face in Japanese: Implications for the discursive negotiation of second language learner identities

Learners of languages often face various dilemmas in relation to their identities in that language. In this paper, it is argued that if learners of Japanese are to learn how to successfully manage these various dilemmas, they need to acquire a more emically-grounding understanding of the various dimensions that can influence or be influenced by their second language identities. Two phenomena that have received only mention in passing in relation to the discursive negotiation of identities thus far are ‘(im)politeness’ and ‘face’. An emic analysis reveals the pivotal role occupied by place in the interactional achievement of ‘(im)politeness’ and ‘face’ in Japanese. It is thus proposed that the discursive accomplishment of identities is reflexively indexed through ‘place’ to the interactional achievement of ‘(im)politeness’ and ‘face’. This approach is forwarded in an attempt to offer greater clarity in explicating the manner in which discursive dispute over the respective ‘places’ of interactants can impact upon the negotiation of identities in intercultural conversation. In this way, learners of Japanese may become more empowered in their attempts to manage their second language identities.