Thomas2849
January 31, 2023
Hi everyone
In lesson 6.4 there seems to be a somewhat inconsistent use of ultra-formal language in Kenny's part.
Kenny says: こちらは私の名刺です. Why does he not make use of でございます? - ie. こちらは私の名刺でございます (see Sayaka's part in the very same dialogue).
Moreover, Kenny introduces himself by saying フォードのケニー高橋でございます whereas he should rather say フォードの高橋ケニーでございます from what is being taught in this lesson.
Have I misunderstood something?
Emma-Rocket-Languages-Tutor
February 5, 2023
こんにちは (Konnichiwa) Thomas2849,
Thank you for pointing these issues out.
Everything you’re saying is perfectly correct! Being able to recognise these inconsistencies really shows how much your Japanese is improving, so well done!
The formality levels are definitely a little inconsistent in this lesson. In this conversation, Kenny and Sayaka are meeting each other for the first time in a business context, so both speakers should be using ultra-formal Japanese.
As you pointed out, in this case it would be more natural to use the ultra-formal でございます (de gozaimasu) instead of the polite です (desu) - in fact, it would be considered rude to use です (desu) in this context! The exception to this might be if Kenny were Sayaka’s client and Kenny was in a higher position, in which case he might use です (desu).
What Kenny should say here is こちらは私の名刺でございます (Kochira wa watashi no meishi de gozaimasu).
I’m not sure why Kenny introduces himself as ケニー高橋 (Kenī Takahashi). In Japanese, the surname is always said first, followed by the given name, so this would suggest that Kenny is his surname and Takahashi is his first name - which is not the case!
As you pointed out, this should be 高橋ケニー (Takahashi Kenī) instead. So this line should say:
フォードの高橋ケニーでございます (Fōdo no Takahashi Kenī de gozaimasu).
We apologise for these inconsistencies and any confusion they may have caused.
Our current Interactive Audio lessons can be a little inconsistent and out of date at times. Our Japanese team is currently working on writing new audio lessons which will be much more accurate and consistent. These new lessons will solve all of the problems you had during this lesson.
Please let us know if you have any other issues or questions.
勉強を頑張ってください (Benkyō o ganbatte kudasai!）