Abstract
The particle "tari" has an "exemplifying usage" to show examples and also a "non-exemplifying usage" used for hedging in modern Japanese. However, there is a tendency to downplay "non-exemplifying usage" in Japanese language education. Hence, this study investigates the frequency of use and generational differences to show the importance of "non-exemplifying usage". "Non-exemplifying usage" of “tari” is no longer considered to be a young people’s word and the paper clarifies that it is now widely used by 20% of native speakers of Japanese and is widespread among all generations.
