The Occurrence of Backchannels in Conversations in Osaka and Tokyo Using Clause Boundaries and Parts of Speech as a Cue

Abstract

This paper examines the occurrence positions of backchannels, based on clause boundaries. Results of the analysis reveal that in conversations in Tokyo backchannels tend to appear after sentence end expressions that indicate an absolute boundary, while in Osaka they appear after conjunctive expressions that show a clause boundary. Moreover, the analysis of backchannels occurring at positions other than clause boundaries also showed differences between Tokyo and Osaka. These results indicate that the use of backchannels in conversations in the two regions are distinct as follows. In Osaka, speakers tend to carry the conversations forward to allow both participants to enjoy their interaction by creating a situation where the listeners can easily get involved in the conversation or by having listeners guess what follows next in the conversation. Backchannels seem to occur according the tone of the speaker, which we can call speaker-centered backchannels. In contrast, conversations in Tokyo tend to be speaker-centered with speakers maintaining the right to speak or conveying uncertain elements of information within conversations. Backchannels seem to occur after the listener has comprehended what the speaker has said, which we can call listener-centered backchannels.