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Hi everyone,

I am currently researching the sociolinguistic aspects of how sensitive topics are handled in East Asian languages. I am particularly interested in the various ways to describe death in Japanese, as the vocabulary seems to shift dramatically based on politeness levels.

While "shinu" is the most direct verb, I understand that "naku-naru" is significantly more common in polite conversation. Could someone clarify the specific contexts where Buddhist-derived terms like "ojyu" or "seki" would be appropriate? I want to ensure my academic writing reflects the correct level of respect and cultural sensitivity for different social scenarios.

Thanks in advance.