Discretion: The final particle ou and its functions in medical advice-giving

Abstract

This paper explores the functions of Chinese final particle ou in both TCU-final and non-TCU-final positions in medical advice-giving. Using Praat, we differentiated phonologically marked and unmarked ou and analyzed their functions in both doctor and patient speech. The findings suggest a difference in participants’ use of ou: while non-TCU-final ou occurs mainly in the patient speech to mark newsworthiness and call for the doctor’s attention, TCU-final ou occurs in both the doctor and the patient speech serving various functions. Most importantly, the paper provides a new understanding of the various functions of ou as interconnected to each other under its intrinsic discreet quality that facilitates relationship building in the selected conversational activity.

Link to publication in John Benjamins e-Platform

Link to publication in Scopus