g. Honorifics

Honorific expression was originally integrated into the Kansai area where the capital was located and its complexity was increased because of feudalism. The modern Kansai dialect still retains the complex expressions that can be used depending on the interlocutor in addition to the regular honorific expressions. The clearest example is the existence of the light honorific auxiliary verbs はる／やはる, and the light pejorative auxiliary verbs おる／よる. Nowadays the Kansai speakers use the light honorifics はる／やはる quite often, replacing the regular honorific expressions. In that sense, the use of honorific expression is quite simplified in the Kansai dialect these days.

はる follows Negative-form stem (Kyoto, Nara) or Masu-from stem (Osaka) for るverbs and うverbs and Masu-form sterm for irregular verbs like the following:

*Move the mouse over the speaker icon for sound

食(た)べはる；聞(き)か（聞(き)き）はる；し（しや）はる；来(き)（来(き)や）はる

先生(せんせい)、もう昼(ひる)ご飯(はん)食(た)べはりましたか？（ST 召(め)し上(あ)がりましたか）

えんぴつ貸(か)してくれはりませんか？（ST 貸(か)してくださいませんか）

はる is used not only as an honorific expression but also as a neutral polite expression, or simply to be gentle and polite (usually by females). It can be used even for family members or animals! (especially in Kyoto / Shiga area)

(To one’s own mother) お父(とう)さん、部屋(へや)にいはったわ。

(About one’s own baby) この人(ひと)、毎日(まいにち)テレビ見(み)はるねん。

(Female talking to her child) ほら、犬(いぬ)がこっち来(き)はるで !

Humble expressions are used the same way as in the standard, however, note that おる, the humble form of いる, is also used as a light pejorative auxiliary verb, to look down on or to show hierarchical difference from the person, or just to be blunt. This is in opposition to the use of はる as a neutral polite.

(Talking to Mom about younger brother) たかし、何(なに)しとる（=しておる）？

(About a stray cat) あの猫(ねこ)、寝(ね)とん（=寝(ね)ておる）で。

Further explanations and examples as well as aural exercises are provided under Honorifics in Chapter 4. Functional Grammar.