Another’s voice: A Korean evidential marker “-tay”

This study examines the interactional functions of an evidential marker -tay in the Korean language. Despite the frequent use of -tay in everyday interactions, the role of this marker in spoken communication has not been sufficiently explored, compared to other Korean quotative expressions. By analysing telephone conversations, this study shows that -tay conveys not only another’s utterances but also indicates interaction-oriented functions in various contexts: as a marker of presenting evidence, detailing context in telling a story and introducing a new topic. In addition, this paper will discuss how speakers use this marker to facilitate interaction with hearers by incorporating multiple voices into spoken discourse and creating new meanings, including the “voice” of a third party and also speakers’ own “metamessages”.