Maybe...(Part. 1)

Maybe...

Since I came to Japan, I have spoken with thousands of English-speaking Japanese people. I think the one word that they used most often was "maybe". It is overused in English in Japan. Let's find out why its used, why it's incorrect to use it so much, and how to correct it!

WHY "MAYBE" IS USED SO MUCH IN JAPAN

In Japanese, it's polite and a sign of good character to show reserve (遠慮 ) or modesty (謙虚). It is generally seen as impolite to speak too directly about our own achievements or abilities. So, when many Japanese talk about themselves in Japanese, they often qualify (修正する) their sentence with something like "かもしれません". When they use English to talk about themselves and what they can do, they likewise want to be polite and reserved. So, they often translate "かもしれません" into a "...maybe" at the end of their sentence.

WHY IT''S INCORRECT

As we have seen above, many English-speaking Japanese occasionally apply a Japanese way of thinking and speaking to the English language. Sometimes, this approach can be acceptable or understandable. However, to truly speak English correctly, we have to try to think in English.

In English, it's polite to answer the questioner's (質問者) question, to let them know the facts. We don't want to waste their time by making them ask the question again. So, if we want to be polite to an English speaker, let's be clear. If we qualify things that we say with "maybe", it's not clear:

• If we use "maybe" for past events: ("I passed the test...maybe"), our answer is only confusing to the English speaker. They will likely ask us again, "Did you pass the test or not?", "What do you mean?", or "Why do you say 'maybe'?"

• This is also a problem if we use "maybe" with things that we know to be true: "I'm a good cook. Maybe..." or "I play baseball well. Maybe...". Again, our conversation partner would not be satisfied with this answer: ("Are you or aren't you a good cook?" "Can you play baseball well or not?", etc.). They won't think that you are humble (謙そん) rather, that you are confused!

• Finally, it makes our statement or opinion appear weak. For this reason, when English speakers study essay-writing, we are taught to never use "maybe". The purpose of an essay (and often, spoken English as well) is to convince the reader. Words or phrases like, "maybe", "possibly", "perhaps", "in my opinion", etc. will make the reader think that we doubt (don't believe) our own statements, so they will doubt them as well. We should write with certainty. For example, "Global warming is a serious problem and demands an immediate reaction. Here are the steps we should take..." is clearer and more certain than "Maybe global warming is a serious problem. Perhaps something should be done sometime".

So, in Canada, if I want to know some facts and the person I ask is always qualifying their answer with "maybe", I might think they either don't know or don't want to tell me the answer. I will only be confused or disappointed by their answer. I will walk away from them and ask someone else until I get a clear answer! Further, if I read an essay and there are many "maybe"s, I will stop reading because there are too many qualifications and not enough facts or strong opinions. Finally, even if the person uses "maybe" correctly (i.e. A: "Can you come to my party?" B: "Maybe"), it's usually not a satisfying answer because it's so unclear. In this situation, A would probably then ask: "Can you come or not?" "When will you know if you can come or not?", "What does it depend on?" etc.

So, in Japan, I understand the reason why people use "maybe", but their purpose (being polite) is not only not successful, it can even have the opposite effect!

HOW TO CORRECT IT

This is easy! Don't use "maybe" with things that we know to be true. Don't use "maybe" or other qualifiers in essays. Try to think in English, or at least, try to understand what the English speaker wants to hear. That is being polite. I know this is not easy (because I have to try and do the same thing in Japan with Japanese speakers!), but if we understand why and try to get into a habit, it will become much easier.

If we are talking about our own abilities and we don't want to seem like we are boasting or bragging (自慢話をする), we can say something like, "I'm not bad at (baseball, cooking, etc.)". Or, we could make a joke: ("Well, I'm no Michael Jordan, but I can play basketball pretty well"). You could also balance your positives with a negative, (A: "Your English is great!" B: Thanks! Well, my speaking is okay, but my listening isn't so great!") However, generally, English speakers are not too hesitant about talking about their abilities, so if you can do something well, don't be shy about talking about it: you are doing the English speaker a favor by telling them the facts and you are also speaking natural English!

投稿者：管理者　日時：09月03日　14：38　｜パーマリンク