Linguistic Emotivity

Linguistic Emotivity explores expressive and emotive meanings in Japanese from the perspective of the Place of Negotiation theory. The Place of Negotiation theory provides a framework for understanding how linguistic signs function in the place of communication (in cognitive, emotive, and interactional places). The theory finds the indexicality of a sign fundamental and views meanings as being negotiated among interactants who share not only information but, more significantly, feelings.

Using analytical tools recognized in conversation and discourse analyses, the book analyzes emotive topics (vocatives, emotive nominals, quotative topics, etc.) and emotive comments (da and ja-nai, interrogatives, stylistic shifts, etc.) in contemporary Japanese discourse. It argues for the importance of emotivity in Japanese, in the context of the Japanese culture of pathos. Linguistic Emotivity challenges the traditional view of language that privileges logos, form, information, and abstraction, and instead, it proposes a philosophical shift toward pathos, expression, emotion, and linguistic event/action.