Abstract
This paper analyzes regional differences of discourse patterns in three dialects in Japan focusing on the patterning of discourse markers, based on the assumption that dialectal differences will most likely appear in the discourse markers, which serve to make communication more effective. In this paper, elderly speakers' explanatory discourses in Tokyo and Osaka dialects are quantitatively analyzed. The results obtained are subsequently compared with the results and data given in Keum (2003, 2004) on the Sendai dialect, in order to examine the discourse patterns of the three dialects. As a result, the Sendai dialect is characterized as a dialect in which speakers actively confirm to listeners the sharing of information during their discourse, as well as assert the right to speak. On the other hand, the Osaka dialect can be characterized by its self-confirming discourse patterns, as well as by the frequent use of simple discourse markers for continuing speech. Finally, the general discourse patterns of the Tokyo dialect are found to be intermediate between those of Sendai and Osaka dialects, but generally more similar to those of the Sendai dialect than of the Osaka dialect.
