Research into Regional and Generational Differences in Language Behavior in Modern Society

我们对语言行为的各个方面进行了调查，使用了一份全国性的通用调查问卷。我们能够获得关于购物行为和请求行为的有趣结果。在东西方对立的其他语言范畴中，我们发现了与过去的发现相对应的分布模式。在没有显示任何较大分布模式的地区发现了其他更细微的区域差异模式。即使在一个县内，城市化或地方社会结构的差异也显示出“社会-区域差异”，而这种差异盖过了传统的“地理-区域差异”。总的来说，地区方言的差异被认为正在减弱，在我们的数据中，我们还发现，语言行为的地区差异有所减少。然而，尽管在具有某些特征的年轻说话者中发现地区性差异正在消失，但其他特征表明年轻说话者保留了这种差异。与熟悉度因素(如与邻居的关系)以及非语言交流因素(如手势)有很强的相关性。研究发现，在年轻的说话者中，礼貌表达也被用作敬语。尤其是近海地区，由于各种因素的连锁反应，其“治疗表达”水平出现了强劲增长。

We conducted a survey concerning various aspects of language behavior using a common nationwide questionnaire. We were able to obtain interesting results concerning shopping behavior and request behavior.1. We discovered distribution patterns which correspond to past findings in other linguistic categories of an east-west opposition. Other finer patterns of regional variation were discovered in areas which did not reveal any larger distribution patterns. Even within a single prefecture, differences in urbanization or local social structure revealed "socio-regional differences" which overshadowed traditional "geo-regional differences".2. Regional dialect differences in general are said to be waning, and in our data also, we found a decrease in regional differences in language behavior. However, while regional variation was found to be disappearing among younger speakers with some features, other features revealed that younger speakers were retaining this variation.3. Strong correlations were found with degree of familiarity factors such as the relationships with one's neighbors, as well as with nonverbal communication factors such as gestures.4. It was found that among younger speakers, polite expressions were used as honorific expressions as well. The Kinki region particularly showed a strong increase in the level of "treatment expression" caused by a chain reaction of various factors.