Jump to the main content block
Tsing Hua Journal of Chinese Studies
ISSN 0577-9170; DOI 10.6503/THJCS

   Cover

The Discourse Functions of dui a in Spoken Mandarin

Vol. 28 No. 4   6/1998  

Title

The Discourse Functions of dui a in Spoken Mandarin

Author

Sai-hua Kuo

Genre

Article  

Pages

 

Download

 

Language

 

Key words

discourse, distribution, function, agree ment token, minimal response, mass media, language use, language change

Abstract

      This paper examines the distributions and functions of dui a 對阿 , which is an agreement token generally occurring in turn-initial position in Chinese spoken discourse. I have found that in extended discourse (e.g. narration or explanation/argumentation), while the turn-final dui a 對阿 can bring the talk to a closure and strengthen what the speaker has just said, the turn-internal dui a 對阿 has the simultaneous function of acknowledging the audience’s minimal responses and confirming the speaker’s own prior talk. Finally, I suggest that this more extensive use of dui a 對阿 , which distinguishes adolescents’ or young adults’ speech style in current Taiwanese society, might be attributed to t he popularity of a TV show. Therefore, this instance also illuminates the important role mass media has played in language use and language change.

 

 

Author: Sai-hua Kuo
Genre: Article
Click Num: