Style-Shifting in The Japanese TV Show "Geinoujin Kakuzuke Check 2025 Oshougatsu Supesharu"

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the phenomenon of style-shifting in a Japanese television program, Geinoujin Kakuzuke Check 2025 Oshougatsu Supesharu. In this program, the host’s often move from formal form(masu-kei) to informal form(futsuu-kei) and vice versa when having a conversation. This study employs a qualitative descriptive discourse analysis approach, drawing on the theoretical framework of social distance and situational factors, to explore how shifts in speech patterns reveal social dynamics and shape conversational interactions. According to the findings, the host employs Futsuu-kei (-Distant) to adjust to the environment and Masu-kei (+Distant) to maintain professionalism when introducing, summarizing, and posing questions. In this program, style-shifting is utilized as an adaptive communication approach to match the conversational situation while also indicating social position.