japanese language, stucture of literature question?

Question

Hi,  I am attempting to read a novel written in japanese.  Its take a week but ive gotten through the first page.  One thing ive noticed is that i cant tell who is speaking.

In american novels there is usally something like.    "I am going to eat" said Bob.    That sentence tells me that bob said that.   The two main charachers so far in the story that i am reading is the main chacter and a taxi driver.    Is there an equivalent to "said Bob"  in japanese writing?  I cant figure out whos saying what.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

There should be a part of the sentence (often before the marks) that notifies who is saying what. This can also be dropped after the first time something is said. It should say ボブは or ボブさんは etc. (depends on what the character is in relation to everything). This is to signify that Bob is the one doing the actions (in this case speaking). Also, in the same sentence the word 言うshould also be present unless it is obvious. This may be 言った、言う、言います、言いました etc.

This is all assuming it is a normally written book.

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japanese language, stucture of literature question?

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