言語使用は居酒屋の居心地の良さにどのように貢献するかースピーチレベルの視点からの考察

This is a pilot study of a much larger research project, that investigates the language use in Izakayas (‘tavern, pub’). Drawing upon data extracted from a Japanese television drama set in an Izakaya, known as Shinya Shokudo（ “Midnight Diner”）, this study confirmed that the unmarked speech style of conversations inside the Izakaya are performed using non-polite forms. Furthermore, interactants occasionally shift their speech style to polite forms to mitigate potential face threatening acts such as when participants ask questions about others. Based on the findings, this study claims that the characteristics of language use in this context contribute greatly to the constructions and maintenance of the relaxed atmosphere and the closeness between people inside the Izakaya. Using non-polite forms to each other allows people to free themselves from restraints of social norms in a strict hierarchical society, while shifting to polite forms can reduce the force of any potential face-threatening acts. The balanced interpersonal relationships achieved via these characteristics of language use make the conversations enjoyable and the Izakaya a comfortable place to be.