高上 似た表現比較 ⑨~respect とlook up to～ “I respect you.” は失礼？
みなさんこんにちは。高上代表 佐藤一行です。
本日は、英語をある程度勉強した人なら聞いたことがあるかもしれない、respectとlook up toの違いについて、です。
私は、ある日本人がアメリカの大学で友だちに、
『大学教授に向かって
”I respect you.”
というのは失礼にあたるから、言わないほうが良いぞ』
と言われたとの文章を読んだことがあります。
respect よりもlook up to の方が良い、とも。
日本人でもlook up to の方が意味が強いと指導している英語講師もいます。
以前これについては、外国人の英語講師にも聞いたことがあるのですが、
respectよりもlook up to の方が意味が強いなどというのは全くのでたらめ
であるそうです。それではなぜ先の日本人は、大学教授にrespect youと言わないほうがよかったのか。
例によってCHATGPTにしつこく質問しましたので、気になる人は読んでみて下さい。
What is the difference of the word respect and look up to？
ChatGPT
Both “respect” and “look up to” relate to admiration and esteem for someone, but they are used in somewhat different contexts and can convey slightly different nuances.
- Respect:
- Definition: A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. It can also mean due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.
- Usage: You can respect someone for their boundaries, rights, feelings, or position, even if you don’t necessarily admire or like them. For instance, one might say, “I respect his work ethic,” even if they don’t have a personal admiration for the individual.
- Look Up To:
- Definition: To admire or regard with respect, usually because the person has qualities or has achieved things that you admire.
- Usage: This phrase typically conveys a sense of personal admiration or aspiration. For instance, “I look up to my older sister” often means that the speaker admires their sister and perhaps aspires to be like her in some ways.
In summary, while both terms can be used in the context of admiration, “respect” can be used in a broader sense, even in contexts where admiration isn’t present, whereas “look up to” is more about personal admiration and aspiration.
look up toの方が個人的なようですね。ここで本題に移ります。
I have once heard that you should not use the word respect to your professor at college. Is that true?
ChatGPT
The notion that you shouldn’t use the word “respect” in reference to your college professor seems unusual and isn’t a widely recognized norm in English-speaking cultures.
Generally speaking, it’s appropriate to say you “respect” your professor, especially if you’re referring to their expertise, teaching abilities, or character.
ここまでしか読まないと、まだまだ答えが分かりません。『適切である』と述べています。ただし、この後核心に触れてくれます。
However, context and culture play vital roles. In some cultures or settings, there might be specific ways to address or refer to authority figures, and using certain terms might come off as overly familiar or inappropriate. Additionally, the way in which the word “respect” is used is crucial. Saying “I respect Professor Smith’s knowledge on the subject” is different from saying “I respect you” directly to Professor Smith, which might sound more intimate or personal.
That said, if you’re ever in doubt about local customs or what might be seen as respectful or disrespectful, it’s always a good idea to ask someone familiar with that culture or setting, or to observe how others around you interact with and refer to professors.
What does “which might sound so intimate.” mean？
ChatGPT
When you directly say “I respect you” to someone, especially in certain cultures or contexts, it can come off as more intimate for several reasons:
- Direct Expression of Feelings: Directly stating feelings or sentiments can be considered intimate or personal. In many contexts, feelings are often implied rather than stated explicitly.
- Depth of the Statement: Respect is a deep and significant sentiment. Announcing such a feeling directly, especially in cultures where restraint or indirect communication is valued, can feel like a profound revelation of personal regard.
- Familiarity Implied: Telling someone directly that you respect them might be interpreted as assuming a certain level of closeness or familiarity with that person. In formal settings or in relationships with clear boundaries, such directness can be perceived as overstepping.
- Cultural Norms: Some cultures place a strong emphasis on hierarchical relationships, especially in educational or professional settings. Directly stating respect might be seen as unnecessary or redundant because respect is already implied due to the hierarchical nature of the relationship.
In the context of a student-professor relationship, directly stating “I respect you” might come off as too personal because the academic environment often emphasizes objectivity, formality, and maintaining a certain professional distance.
Instead, students often express respect more indirectly, such as by being attentive, engaging in class discussions, showing appreciation for feedback, or complimenting the professor’s expertise or teaching style.
とのことでした。確かに外国人講師も似たようなことを言っていた気がします。
やはり最初にアドバイスをくれた、日本人の友だちの言っていたことは正しかったようですね。
まぁ私なら直接言うと思いますが。直接的な表現ばかり使う男なので（苦笑）
やはり言語を深く学ぶのは興味深いですね。
高上代表 佐藤一行
