Akiko Yoshida: A study of the function of kedo: a parentheticality marker
This study discusses the function of kedo, one of Japanese connective particles. Using naturally-occurring conversational data, this study describes the usages and the function of kedo unique to spoken conversation. Three different types of kedo-clauses are examined: (i) [X-kedo Y] type (ii) [Y, X-kedo] type and (iii) [X-kedo] type. Among these three types, while kedo in (i) and (ii) play a similar role in terms of organising utterances, kedo in (iii) [X-kedo] type demonstrates a distinct feature. The analysis shows that the primary function of kedo in spoken conversation can be described in terms of parentheticality. As pointed out by previous studies, participants in a conversation continuously display their concern for each other. In Japanese, kedo can be described as one device to manifest such concern, along with other devices such as fillers, final particles, and so on. In particular, kedo in utterance-final position plays an important role in developing and maintaining a good speaker-hearer relationship. By virtue of the feature of parentheticality, kedo-clauses are presented as if they are less important in terms of the salience of information. In other words, kedo-ending utterance i.e. [X-kedo] enables the speaker to show concern to the hearer. This unique feature of kedo as a parentheticality marker is discussed through a variety of interactional situations. In most cases, kedo-clause is found as a clue to smooth interaction between participants.