Constructing and Negotiating Asymmetry in Children’s Interaction: An Exploration of the Benefactives -te ageru/-te yaru

Abstract

This paper focuses on the use of the Japanese benefactives -te ageru/-te yaru in children’s interactions and analyzes how relationships are brought into being and negotiated through these constructions. Utilizing an interactional approach, the findings are discussed in relation to language socialization. In children’s interactions, while hierarchical relationships arise due to differences in ability emanating from disparities in age and in knowledge/experience, such hierarchical relationships are not static but are oriented to and change dynamically depending on the situation. Children orient to differences in age and ability between themselves and others and display a fine-grained sensitivity through their use of -te ageru/-te yaru, and skillfully display their own ability through verbal/nonverbal behaviors. Through their use of -te ageru/-te yaru, children show their understanding regarding the direction (s) in which benefit is conferred. By offering and directing actions with -te ageru/-te yaru, older siblings conduct normative behaviors and show that they can assist others who are in need. On the other hand, asymmetry in status breaks down and hierarchical relationships become more fluid and negotiable when a child challenges rather than accepts the proffered assistance. In this manner, children acquire norms of relationships through their interactions with peers and siblings and negotiate those norms.