Objectivity, subjectivity and intersubjectivity: Evidence from qishi (‘actually’) and shishishang (‘in fact’) in spoken Chinese

The present study delves into the idiosyncrasies of qishi and its near synonym—shishishang in spoken Chinese, by adopting the conversation analysis approach (Sacks et al., 1974, ) and working with a spoken corpus containing daily conversations and TV/radio interviews. Based on relevance theory (Sperber and Wilson, 1986/1995, ) and politeness theory (Brown and Levinson, 1987, ), this study analyzes the textual and interactional uses of qishi and shishishang. The data show that as discourse markers, they serve several pragmatic functions such as correcting, informing, or shifting topic. On the whole, qishi and shishishang could be regarded as signals for guiding the listener toward a particular interpretation intended by the speaker (Sperber and Wilson, 1986/1995, ). Furthermore, echoing Traugott and Dasher's analysis of in fact (2002:155), , we find that qishi and shishishang, particularly the former, are intersubjective in that they have the double function of signaling the type of rhetorical strategy being used, and at the same time expressing concern for the addressee's “face” (Brown and Levinson, 1987). This study also indicates that the discourse markers qishi and shishishang are more prevalent in formal speech settings, such as TV/radio interviews, where politeness is expected.