Abstract

This article illustrates the importance of exact repetitions in Japanese conversation while emphasizing the relevance of sociolinguistic analysis. The frequency and functions of exact repetitions in Japanese conversation are different from those in English conversation. English people and Japanese people sometimes understand using frequent exact repetitions differently, suggesting that people culturally use conversational features differently and speech interaction might differ among societies. In addition, no studies have been carried out regarding repetitions in relation to speakers' social characteristics in Japanese conversation, although speakers' characteristics of social background sometimes influences the way people interact with each other in conversation. The results in this article show that speakers' social characteristics, especially their age group, strongly affects the way in which Japanese people use exact repetitions. Speakers' social characteristics need to be carefully considered when analysing Japanese conversation, and in general, more sociolinguistic studies need to be carried out in Japanese speech interaction.