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In:Informality in Japanese: Getting close in a formal context
Edited by Haruko Minegishi Cook and Momoko Nakamura
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 357] 2027
► pp. 124–144

Chapter 6
Formality and intimacy in Japanese news shows

 | University of Wisconsin-Madison
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
This study examines interactions observed in two Japanese news shows, focusing on their participants’ use and non-use of honorifics along with other linguistic and multimodal elements that constitute various ranges and layers of formality. The two programs follow a similar “news show” format. Overarching formality across the two programs can be observed: the introduction of a new news item is often offered in honorifics with the anchor’s gaze on the camera. The study shows that formality and informality are fluid constructs. A variety of linguistic and non-linguistic elements are mobilized to display formality and informality. In various ways, formality can be displayed to add different layers of meaning to ongoing talk, which contributes to the viewer’s sense of closeness between participants.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.This study
    • 2.1Data
    • 2.2The two shows; Mezamashi and Yofukashi
  • 3.Findings
    • 3.1Overall speech styles
    • 3.2Social actions, gaze, and linguistic resources in Mezamashi
    • 3.3Social actions, gaze, and linguistic resources in Yofukashi
  • 4.Discussion and conclusion
  • Author queries
  • Note
  • References
  • Appendix
References (24)
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