DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORMAL AND INFORMAL SPEECH IN JAPANESE

The grammatical system of the Japanese language is complex and multi-layered, in which the level of formality of speech is an important linguistic factor. In Japanese society, social hierarchy, age, position, distance between interlocutors, and the choice of speech appropriate to the situation are of great importance. Therefore, formal (keigo) and informal (futsūkei) speech forms in Japanese are clearly distinguished grammatically. This thesis analyzes the main differences between the grammatical forms used in formal and informal speech in Japanese, using the examples of verb forms, negative and interrogative forms, conjunctions, modal expressions, and categories of respect and humility.