using 美化語 in 謙譲語 verb forms does not make sense, right?

Question

So, 美化語 is used to create honorifics: お名前 ご注文 etc.

But, the standard way to create the 謙譲語 form of verbs is: お＋[verb stem] + いたします

That does not make logical sense to modify the action that you are performing with an honorific "お", right? There is nothing about this paradox that would help with understanding 敬語 in a broader context。Every language has its idiosyncrasies. Assigning 美化語 to action you perform is just something to memorize, right? I don't care about etymology. So, memorize and move on to the next topic?

Answer 1

Prefixing a word with お or ご does not necessarily make it an honorific. The following is an example of humble speech (謙譲語):

先生へのお手紙

...while this is an example of honorific language (尊敬語):

先生からのお手紙

Notice that both phrases use お手紙.

美化語 does not mean honorific. 美化語 is used to make one's speech sound more refined (美化 = beautification, 語 = word/language). Therefore, 美化語 is frequently used in regular polite speech. The following are examples of 美化語:

菓子 -> お菓子

酒 -> お酒

Note that not all words that are prefixed with お or ご are examples of 美化語. For instance,

先生のお名前

is an example of 尊敬語.

Answer 2

Not quite sure what you're asking, but not all 謙譲語 is of that form. You can have

1. The form of ご　＋【漢語】＋　いたす like ご注文いたす or
2. special verbs like 申す, 拝見【はい・けん】する, 仰ぐ, etc.

You could have 美化語 together with 謙譲語 with something like

• ご住所を伺【うかが】う　→　Ask for your/an address
• お寿司をいただく　→　Eat sushi