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Article published In: Chinese Language and Discourse
Vol. 12:2 (2021) ► pp.158–180

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Discretion

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

ORCiD logo with link | University of Macau
ORCiD logo with link | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Published online: 14 January 2021
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/cld.20010.jin
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.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Advice mitigation in medical conversations
  • 3.Use of ou in Mandarin Chinese discourse
  • 4.Theoretical framework
  • 5.Data and methods
  • 6.The ou particle in the advice activity
    • 6.1Unmarked ou
      • 6.1.1Ou at a non-TCU-final position
      • 6.1.2 Ou at a TCU-final position
    • 6.2Marked ou
  • 7.Discussion
  • 8.Conclusion
  • References
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