Re: Distal / polite

Sean <notsean@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On 9/13/05 11:16 PM, "Ben Bullock" typed:
>
> (snip)
> > I'm not sure what the difference with distal and polite is.
>
> One thing that has always bothered me about the desumasutai being
> designated the "polite" form is that it almost implies that the
> plain form is rude or at least impolite. It isn't.

My Kodansha dictionary lists standard conjugations, distinguishing
"informal" and "semi-formal":

おちる informal nonpast affirmative
おちます semi-formal nonpast affirmative
[...]

Presumably "semi-formal" is chosen to allow "formal" to be reserved
for the irregular alternative verbs, e.g. ございます as a formal
alternative to the semi-formal あります.

--
\ "I bought some batteries, but they weren't included; so I had |
`\ to buy them again." -- Steven Wright |
_o__) |
Ben Finney
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Distal / polite
    ... the "polite" form is that it almost implies that the plain form is rude or ... be impolite, in a sense, to speak too formally. ... Another big problem is that Krustuv separated "distal" and "polite" and I have very little idea what he thinks the difference is. ... The tables he made aren't very enlightening - I can't see why they can't be in the same category. ...
    (sci.lang.japan)
  • Re: Distal / polite
    ... > I'm not sure what the difference with distal and polite is. ... One thing that has always bothered me about the desumasutai being designated ... the "polite" form is that it almost implies that the plain form is rude or ... be impolite, in a sense, to speak too formally. ...
    (sci.lang.japan)
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