Style markers in speech act realization: A corpus-based analysis of the cute style sajiao in Chinese

Abstract

Previous empirical studies have revealed variation in speech act realization. A common methodological approach involves coding strategy and modification types used in particular scenarios to quantify variation at the actional level. This study adopts a novel approach by focusing on first-order style labels rather than particular speech acts, speaker types, or contexts to investigate style-specific patterns in speech act realization. Specifically, style markers related to speech act realization, including internal lexical modifiers and semantic formulas, are identified through concordance analysis of keywords and key clusters generated by comparing a target corpus of style-specific speech with a reference corpus of other styles. This style marker analysis is applied to examine sajiao (‘act cute’), a widely practiced and culturally significant communication style in (Mandarin) Chinese associated with cuteness, childlikeness, and femininity, yet sometimes evoking negative perceptions. The case study found internal lexical modifiers that align with previous research on sajiao, as well as semantic formulas that have received limited attention. These formulas appear in requests, refusals, emotives of longing, complaints, and compliments. The sajiao style indexes an in-group relationship, positioning the addressee as a caregiver. Alongside self-serving sajiao usage, corpus data also revealed: 1) strategic uses of sajiao for altruistic purposes, and 2) sajiao actors' obligation to reciprocate through expressions of appreciation and affection. Sajiao was also strategically used to reduce social distance with out-group members. The study suggests three key aspects of speech act realization: formal-level variation, the synergistic effects of co-occurring forms, and stylistic choices that deviate from dominant norms.