A language reflects the character of the people who use it, and vice-versa. One interesting bit of Japanese grammar students learn early on is the verb ending masho, which corresponds to “let’s…” as in “let’s eat” (tabemasho), “let’s go” (ikimasho) or “let’s not smoke” (tabako wo yamemasho). In situations where verbal or written warnings would be worded in a command form in English (e.g. do not smoke, do not ride on the escalator backwards), it’s common for Japanese to express the same message with this softer “let’s…” verb form, essentially making statements like “let’s put our telephones into vibration mode” (maanaa modo ni shimasho) or “when a pregnant woman or elderly person gets on the train, let’s give our seat to them” (seki wo yuzurimasho). These statements subtly create a warm and fuzzy atmosphere of cooperation that make people want to do their part for the good of everyone, an important pillar of Japanese polite society. Every year, the Japanese tax office sponsors commercials featuring famous TV personalities walking to their post office to mail their income tax forms — “Let’s fill out our tax forms accurately and honestly,” is the message. I wonder which approach is more effective?
The Japanese government is always saying things like, “Let’s pay our taxes correctly!”
