Object transfer in request–accept sequence in Japanese caregiver–child interactions

Abstract

Requesting an object or information is a basic and ubiquitous activity in human interactions, but the sequential organization of this activity varies considerably across speech communities. In line with Language Socialization approach, this paper inquires into (1) how children formulate their acceptance of object requests made by caregivers, (2) the role of requested object in request-accept sequences, and (3) the distinctive features of object requests in Japanese caregiver-child interactions (CCIs). Based on video data of Japanese caregiver-child (aged 0-5 years) interactions, we conducted an interaction analysis of conversations involving object transfer. The results revealed that the features of requestacceptance sequence are shaped by (1) the trigger of object request, (2) the features of the requested object, (3) timing, location, and manners to transfer the requested object. By engaging in object request sequences, caregivers not only made reciprocal communication more effective but also set and modified the frame of their activity. The study also revealed that object request sequence is the place of negotiation for both children and caregivers with respect to (re)constructing the appropriate morality of Japanese culture.

Socialization Practices Regarding Shame in Japanese Caregiver–Child Interactions

“…In line 1, M prompts T to clap his hands by speaking a phrase that combines the onomatopoeia pachi pachi pachi and the particle wa (delivered in a rising tone, indicating a question form), which designates topicalization (Figure 1). Prompting is a subcategory of directives (Takada, 2013; Takada and Endo, 2015), which are defined utterances “intended to get the listener to do something” (Goodwin, 2006, p. 107). A similar onomatopoeia is used in lines 3, 5, and 7, and all of these utterances are combined with clapping.…”

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!: Object requests, ownership and entitlement in a children's play session

“…Ownership and ownership rights may not prevail in the same way with respect to these objects as they do for children and 'their' toys. Comparative data of adult object request making in the context of more 'ownable' items (such as personal items and accessories) would be a fruitful site to see if ownership emerges as a factor, and is therefore part of the landscape of adult requests after all (Takada and Endo, 2015 show that caregivers are sensitive to ownership in pursuing toys from their children). In that vein, exploring adult interaction in more 'gaming' contexts may also reveal a more explicit orientation to 'rules'.…”

“…The request recipient's relationship to the toy in terms of relative proximity (seeTakada and Endo, 2015) and indeed whether they are using the toy seem relevant contrasts here.…”

Directive Speech Acts in English and Spanish Filmspeak

“…Another group of investigations has taken into account the relation between the interlocutors (children and caregivers) and more specifically how children choose the strategies at their disposal for getting and maintaining control of objects in the play space. These studies have been carried out in different language contexts: Polish (Ogiermann, 2015), Japanese (Takada & Endo, 2015) and Australian English (Dixon, 2015).…”

“…Other recent research on request has examined the type of questions used when requesting (Dixon, 2015;Lindström, 2005;Ogiermann, 2015) and it has as well explored requesting forms (Curl & Drew, 2008;González-Cruz, 2014;Heinemann, 2006;Placencia, 2008) or the linguistic forms which factor in the object for requests (Craven & Potter, 2010;Rossi, 2015;Takada & Endo, 2015).…”