Conversational Functions of Russian-Borrowed ‘Like’-Quotatives tipa and takoj in Kazakh Spoken Discourse

Abstract

Aims and Objectives:

This study investigates the emergence of Russian-borrowed quotatives tipa ‘like’ and takoj ‘such’ in Kazakh. First, we analyze the conversational functions that these quotatives have assumed in Kazakh spoken discourse from Kazakhstan. Then, we compare data from the Kazakh diaspora to identify how the same functions are achieved in the absence of contact.

Methodology:

We employ techniques from Conversation Analysis to analyze naturally occurring spoken data produced by Kazakh speakers in Kazakhstan and Xinjiang (China), as well as data from Kazakh speakers residing in Turkey, Germany, and the United States.

Analysis:

Data for this research consist of 187 minutes of naturally occurring interaction for Kazakh speakers residing in Kazakhstan, 60 minutes for Kazakh speakers residing in Xinjiang (China), and 247 minutes for Kazakh speakers abroad. We annotated every instance of reported speech happening in the interactions and performed a CA-informed analysis of every case to identify the function of the quotative within its interactional context.

Findings:

The results show that Russian-borrowed ‘like’-quotatives in Kazakh conversation fulfill two distinct functions. Tipa is used as an epistemic marker to indicate that the quote is not a verbatim reproduction of the original material. Takoj performs evidential functions by signaling that the speaker was present at the original interaction. Dedicated markers for these functions have not developed in the varieties of Kazakh employed by members of the diaspora abroad. In Kazakhstan, ‘like’-quotatives are mainly used by young, urban, bilingual women, who act as language innovators.

Originality:

This is one of the first corpus-based studies of Kazakh that features a comparison with diaspora varieties and employs naturally occurring spoken conversational data.

Significance:

The study contributes to the understanding of the use of quotatives in spoken Kazakh language. It provides insights into the adaptation of conversational functions in borrowing through contact in bilingual societies.