User:Shiawase140518/sandbox/JapaneseProfanityDraft

Japanese is spoken by about 128 million people worldwide. Since there are many Japanese speakers, and it can be assumed that there are additional individuals to this number studying the language as well, it is important for people to understand all aspects of the language, including slang and rude language. Profanity in Japanese Language can be difficult for a non-native speaker to navigate; there are three levels of Japanese speech, namely honorific form, plain form, and humble form. Using the incorrect form of Japanese can alone be insulting to the listener.

Japanese profanities and insults pertain to scatological references or aim to put down the listener by negatively commenting on their skill levels, intellect, or appearance.

Language-Based Profanity
In Japanese culture, social hierarchy plays a significant role in the way one speaks to the various people they interact with on a day to day basis. Choice on level of speech, politeness, body language and appropriate content is assessed on a situational basis, and intentional misuse of thee social queues can be offensive to the listener in conversation.

Pronouns and suffixes
Pronouns are rarely used in Japanese compared to English. Rather, a Japanese speaker would refer to another individual, whether it be in the second person or third person, by their family name. However when referring to an individual, the use of suffixes on pronouns can be used to indicate levels of politeness.

For example, in English one could say "Excuse me, but I cannot understand you. Could you please speak louder," directly to one's teacher, Ms Sara Ishiyama. One would not use pronouns for oneself ('I'), or for Ms Ishiyama ('you') in this case, but instead would omit pronouns for oneself and say 'Ishiyama-sensei' for Ms Ishiyama (where use of 'Ishiyama' in preference of 'Sara', and use of 'sensei' indicates recognition of Ms Ishiyama's social superiority in the social hierarchy as one's teacher):

Intentional omission of 'sensei' is offensive

Calling Ms Ishiyama by her first name, 'Sara', is offensive

Using direct pronouns is too direct, and considered offensive or strange

Body Language
Bowing, depth of bowing, name-cards

Honorific Language
keigo explanations

Content of conversation
bringing up certain topics of conversation can be tetchy

Sex
Sex related profanities

Insults
Common Japanese insults

Racial Euphemisms
insults r.e. nationality, race, place of origin

Homosexuality
discussion of sexual minorities, words and phrases used to insult one's sexual orientation