A Study of the Linguistic Expression of Negative Evaluations in Conversations between Japanese University Students

Abstract

This study analyzes the linguistic expression adopted in utterances which function as negative evaluations in conversations between Japanese university students. The analysis is based on an examination of whether and how each expression refers to the categories of value, object and standard. The analysis reveals that value is expressed explicitly, or indicated by metaphor. As for object, it is found that both matters which are taken as the object of evaluation themselves, and the results of such matters are verbalized as a way of expressing negative evaluation. It is also found that reference to standards, via modal expressions or verbalization of the standard itself, also contributes to expressing negative evaluation. Finally, I discuss the implications of these results for Japanese language education.