Inference

Today in Japanese class we talked about something that I had a hard time understanding.  In fact, even now Iʻm not sure that I understand exactly what the pattern was and how to use it, and to save face Iʻm not going to show you what it is but I will say that it caused me to reflect on an interesting concept today...inference.

I donʻt think a lot of us think enough about what we are inferring, that being, what exactly is the connotation of everything that we say.  I am not trying to cast the first stone, but I think itʻs something that they are more aware of here and I think itʻs because they embrace the concept of inference.  For example, if you want to basically reject someone, you can say what is nearly the equivalent of "umm" in Japanese and itʻs understood by that and your intonation that really, youʻd rather not participate in whatever someone is asking you to do.

The power of this concept I think is immensely overlooked in English.  Guilt and shame, I think we know a little bit about but inference and euphemism are probably one of the least appreciated linguistic tools that we have.  They are not as standard to us as they are in Japan, and maybe thatʻs why Japanese people thrive so much in a system like fashion...they have mental shock absorbers and euphemism and inference are the oil that keeps them from rusting.

I think today, in more than one way, I learned the importance of inference, and the potential it has to build and to destroy.  Iʻm glad something good is coming out of these Japanese classes, because Iʻm always tired when I get home.

(*_*)