Japanese interactional particles as a resource for stance building

Abstract

The Japanese interactional particles (IPs) ne and yo are often described as discrete attitudinal, affective, and/or epistemic stance markers that directly index particular ‘interior cognitive states’ or ‘psychological domains’. Conversely, this paper argues that such particles are instead irreducibly public resources that conversationalists employ to negotiate their respective positioning within the ever-shifting participation frameworks structuring real-time face to face interaction. It demonstrates, in particular, how various stance ‘meanings’ emerge by virtue of the placement of the IPs in a particular sequential position within an on-going activity first and foremost. I also demonstrate how different levels of ‘stance’ (i.e., reading of one's interlocutor's self-positioning) can manifest as they are linked together by local interactional agendas, interpersonal concerns, sociocultural preferences, and linguistic ideology. Such publically displayed ‘stances’ range from speakers’ concerns regarding micro-level contingency issues to higher-level accomplishments that are built upon such micro-level negotiation, such as the formation of membership categories, the forging the affiliative alliances, and the socially sanctioned displays of ‘politeness’ and ‘respect’.