Relationship between Rhetorical Functions and Setting Themes in Older Adults' Discourse by Coimagination Method

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the theme of the discourse based on the Coimagintion Method, a conversation support method aimed at activating cognitive functions of older adults, and the rhetorical functions of the utterances in that discourse. The taxonomy of Rhetorical Function Analysis was applied to the analysis. Rhetorical Function Analysis is a modification of the taxonomy of Rhetorical Unit Analysis, a discourse analysis method within the framework of Systemic Functional Linguistics, and within the framework of Japanese grammar. In Rhetorical Function Analysis, rhetorical functions and decontextualization indices are identified based on the combination of speech functions, predicate tenses, and subject and theme categories in the unit of analysis called the message (clause). In the Coimagintion Method, participants are required to bring pictures related to an assigned theme, give a short speech on the topic, answer questions from other participants, and write a short essay after the session is over. In this paper, we analyzed short speeches and essays on nine themes given by 12 participants. First, we confirmed that the relationships between themes and rhetorical functions observed in the pilot study of three themes by four participants were generally found in the present data of 12 participants. We then examined the nine themes, finding that there are rhetorical functions that tend to be used in each case: when talking about one's preferences and habits, when talking about one's future actions, when looking back on past events, and when talking about content not related to the individual. These results suggest that the thematic setting of the Coimagination Method discourse could adjust the rhetorical functions that are likely to be used in discourse.