Once again on Japanese Communication: Typical Japanese Speech Tactic in Directive Context

Abstract

This paper covers the principal speech tactics used by Japanese speakers in directive context as they are represented by adverbs and adverbials of illocutive force ( narubeku , dekiru dake , kanarazu , zehi , zettai-ni , dooshitemo , nantoka , dooka , nanitozo , doozo , yoroshiku , yokute , ii kara ). The object of study is samples of typical directive speech situations, derived from corpus data. We use standard methods and tools of discourse analysis, politeness and speech act theory. As a result we have been able to posit such tactics as reference to norms and conventions, appealing to the addressee’s good faith and necessary ingroup cooperation, stating benefits and straightforward acknowledging of them, accepting addressee’s autonomy of decision, as well as negative sanctions in case of non-acceptance. All of these indeed form a language community member’s features while at the same time can be considered as grounds for comparison or generalization concerning proactive, socially meaningful use of language.