The Use Of Kenjougo And Sonkeigo By The Character Diablo In The Anime That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime By Fuse

Abstract

This study aims to describe the forms of kenjougo (humble language) and sonkeigo (respectful language) used by
the character Diablo in the anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime and to analyze their functions based
on Leech’s Politeness Principle. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method with a pragmatic
approach. The data source consisted of Diablo’s dialogues containing kenjougo and sonkeigo in Season 2 of the
anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Data were collected through observation and note-taking
techniques. The findings revealed a total of 30 data, consisting of 15 instances of kenjougo and 15 instances of
sonkeigo. Based on Leech’s Politeness Principle, the most dominant maxim was the Modesty Maxim with 12 data,
followed by the Approbation Maxim with 7 data, the Generosity Maxim with 6 data, the Agreement Maxim with 3
data, the Tact Maxim with 1 datum, and the Sympathy Maxim with 1 datum. Furthermore, the most dominant
politeness scale was the Authority Scale with 15 data, followed by the Cost–Benefit Scale with 7 data, the
Optionality Scale with 4 data, the Indirectness Scale with 2 data, and the Social Distance Scale with 2 data. This
study is expected to serve as a reference for Japanese language learners and researchers in understanding the
pragmatic use of keigo.
Keywords: keigo, kenjougo, sonkeigo, pragmatics, politeness principle