In this study, using Japanese drama as data, the patterns of use in interrupted speech happening in refusal scenes were considered as the target in terms of speech level. This research investigated 1) interrupted speech and iikiri expressions’ patterns of use when used in refusal scenes, 2) as well as classified each observed expressions as “polite” or “normal” form to analyze which relationship each exhibited in interrupted speech. In order to observe the pattern of use of interrupted speech in refusal scenes, interrupted speech and iikiri expressions were collected and analyzed first. As a result, a total of 330 refusals were made, of which 156 (47.3%) were interrupted speech and 174 (52.7%) iikiri expressions indicating that iikiri expressions were used more often than interrupted speech in the refusal scenes. Furthermore, the results of analyzing the observed refusal scenes in terms of speech level of “polite” and “normal” form have shown that interrupted speech was more frequently used in relationships with “polite” form than iikiri expressions with “normal” form. Through these findings, the researcher deduced that interrupted speech has a function of showing consideration to the interlocutor whereas iikiri expressions have a low level of consideration and clearly show their intentions to the other party. In this study, the patterns of use were considered from the perspective of speech level for interrupted speech in refusal scenes, however, the analysis of ellipsis at the end of an utterance in interrupted speech could not be reached. Based on these results, further studies should investigate whether “request scenes” and “suggestion scenes” present the same tendencies.本研究では、日本のドラマ資料を用い、断り場面に見られる言いさし表現を対象に使用様相をスピーチレベルの観点から考察した。課題としては、1)断り場面における「言いさし表現」の使用様相を「言い切り表現」と比較し分析する。2)観察された各表現を「丁寧体レベル」と「普通体レベル」のスピーチレベルに分類し考察することである。
まず、言いさし表現と言い切り表現を収集し分析を行った結果、断り場面が全330回見られ、その中で、言いさし表現は156回(47.3%)、言い切り表現は174回(52.7%)現れ、断り場面において言いさし表現より言い切り表現が多く使用されることがわかった。次に、観察された断り場面を「丁寧体レベル」と「普通体レベル」に分類した結果、「丁寧体レベル」においては言いさし表現が多く使用され「普通体レベル」では言い切り表現が多く使用されていた。このことから、言いさし表現のほうが丁寧度が高く「相手に対する配慮」を示す機能が含まれ、言い切り表現は丁寧度が低く「話し手の意志と態度」を明確に示したい心理が優先されると考えられる。
本研究では、断る際の文末形式や負担度別考察、断りに対する聞き手の察しに関する分析まで至らなかった。また、これらの結果から「依頼場面」や「誘い場面」においても同様の傾向が見られるのかに関する考察は今後の課題としたい。