Japanese conversation, discourse structure, and ellipsis∗

It is shown that an analysis which utilizes a version of frame theory can account for when ellipsis has occurred; recognition of paragraph structures defines the identity of ellipted elements.

Abstract

Ellipsis is a common occurrence in Japanese conversation despite the fact that there are no overt clues to the identity of ellipted elements. Both the ellipsis of noun phrases and main verbals is examined. It is shown that an analysis which utilizes a version of frame theory can account for when ellipsis has occurred; recognition of paragraph structures defines the identity of ellipted elements. All sentences require a main verbal; if one is not present, an appropriate verbal is selected from those available in immediate consciousness. All verbals have specific noun phrases which must be identified; if any of these are not present they are also selected from available candidates in immediate consciousness. In addition to structural information about paragraphs, the accretion of information throughout a conversation and the notion of scripts is necessary to identify the referents of ellipted noun phrases.