Conversational Patterns Among Japanese and Chinese Native Speakers in Speech Sequences That Include Repetition: Focus on the Question-Answer Sequence

Abstract

This paper examines and compares the conversational patterns among Japanese native speakers（JNS）and Chinese native speakers（CNS). Through the use of sequential analysis and questionnaires, the study shows that the sequence of “①question - ②answer - ③repeat” occurs in interactions among JNS. Most of ②answers and ③repeats are sentence-final ellipses. The sequence is used by about 90% of JNS. However, more than 30% of CNS do not use the sequence and prefer using the “①question - ②answer” adjacency pair. The study indicates that JNS and CNS have different conversational patterns that may possibly bring about uncomfortable interactions between them.