PRAGMATIC FEATURES OF GENDERED SPEECH IN CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE COMMUNICATION

This article investigates pragmatic features of gendered speech in contemporary Japanese, focusing on how male and female speakers strategically adjust their language according to communicative context and social roles. Drawing on sociolinguistic and anthropocentric perspectives, the study examines politeness strategies, indirectness, and speaker positioning in modern Japanese discourse. The analysis reveals that gendered speech patterns are no longer rigidly tied to biological sex but function as pragmatic resources selected in response to situational demands. The findings highlight an ongoing transformation of gendered speech in Japanese, where flexibility and contextual appropriateness take precedence over traditional norms.