spaceCenter for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA)
 
 
 
 
 

Introduction to Speech Acts

Let us assume that you have been studying abroad at a Japanese university in Tokyo for the last few months. This is your first time in Japan. You have taken a few years of Japanese at a university level in the U.S., and you have always been a pretty good student. You are living in a flat with a Japanese roommate, Jun. You love Japanese animation; in fact that is how you initially became interested in the language and culture. You are a music lover, also. Aside from classes in Japanese language, you are studying Japanese history and international relations. You are sociable by nature, which is why you wanted to have a roommate.

Situation 6:

You are trying to do some tricky, thought-provoking homework but your Japanese roommate is watching a variety show on TV and has the volume up so loud that it is distracting you and making it hard to concentrate. Your roommate is a really close friend and someone you don’t want to annoy. Just before you are about to complain, it occurs to you that maybe the request is unacceptable. Perhaps you need to get some ear plugs or do your studying elsewhere, such as at the library or in a coffee shop. All the same, ear plugs don’t necessarily screen out all the noise, the library is rather far away and closes at 9, and the local coffee shop is always crowded and smoky. After all, this is Tokyo. Aside from all of this, you feel that you are entitled to live comfortably as well as he is in this shared room. What are your thoughts about this? What should you do? Is it a reasonable request, and if it is, what language should you use so as not to offend him?

Your section (if applicable)/Your last name, Your first name:
Example: 010/Smith, John



 
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