This study explores the role of cross-speaker repetition in creating interpersonal connections between interactants in Japanese. The analysis focuses on Japanese non-reciprocal conversations between senpai ‘senior’ and kōhai ‘junior’ interactants, where the kōhai are normatively expected to speak using the honorific desu/masu markers. The analysis demonstrates that in such conversations, the kōhai sometimes drop the honorific markers while repeating the senpai’s utterances, thereby momentarily transcending the vertical boundary separating them from the senpai. Two types of plain form repetition are presented: (1) the kōhai repeat the senpai’s funny and/or questionable comments to savor the expressions, and (2) the kōhai repeat the senpai’s ideas, wishes or assessments to synchronize with the senpai. The analysis explicates how cross-speaker repetition allows the kōhai to drop the honorific markers in a way that is acceptable to the senpai. This study underscores the significance of the cross-speaker repetition device for creating harmonious relationships in Japanese.

中文翻译：

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通过日语中的跨说话者重复超越 senpai“高级”/kōhai“初级”界限

本研究探讨了跨说话者重复在日语互动者之间建立人际联系中的作用。该分析重点关注日语中“senpai”（高级）和“kōhai”（初级）互动者之间的非互惠对话，其中“kōhai”通常使用敬语 desu/masu 标记进行交谈。分析表明，在此类对话中，后辈有时会在重复前辈的话语时放弃敬语标记，从而暂时超越将他们与前辈分开的垂直边界。呈现两种类型的简单形式重复：（1）kōhai 重复前辈有趣和/或有疑问的评论以品味表达方式，以及（2）kōhai 重复前辈的想法、愿望或评估以与前辈同步。该分析解释了跨说话者重复如何让 kōhai 以前辈可以接受的方式删除敬语标记。这项研究强调了跨说话者重复装置对于在日语中建立和谐关系的重要性。