Abstract
Using a large-scale corpus of Japanese Language learners' conversational data and taking into account different learning environments (overseas classroom env., classroom env. in Japan, natural env. in Japan), this study investigates the usage of 16 expressions in their basic and altered phonetic shape (e.g. noda and iroiro-na vs. nda and iron-na) and compares the findings to the usage of Japanese L1 speakers. Even in polite register only 4 out of the 16 expressions are frequently used in their unaltered basic shape by L1 speakers. On the other hand, learners can be classified into six groups showing different degrees of similarity to L1 usage patterns. As the outcome of this corpus investigation also seems to reflect the treatment of the expressions in Japanese textbooks, the paper concludes with suggestions on appropriate teaching strategies tailored to learners' specific needs and learning environments.
