represented speech; free indirect discourse
A grammatical term for a narrative technique where a character's speech or thoughts are presented indirectly, blending with the narrator's voice. Used in linguistic and literary analysis.
Represented speech is a technique in novels that blends a character's inner voice into the narrative text.
In this paragraph, represented speech is used, and the narrator's perspective overlaps with the character's.
Direct speech: quotes a character's words exactly, often with quotation marks. 描出話法 is indirect and merges with the narration.
Indirect speech: reports what a character said without quoting, often with a reporting clause. 描出話法 goes further by removing the reporting clause and blending into the narrative.
Compound of 描出 (depiction, portrayal) and 話法 (speech, narrative style). A technical term likely coined in Japanese linguistics to translate the Western concept of 'represented speech' or 'free indirect discourse'.