Search

This paper explores distinct usages of the response particle right in American versus British English conversation. The analysis shows that, in American English, right conveys the speaker's knowing stance and, in certain environments, the speaker's claim of primary knowledge. In contrast, in British English, right registers provided information as previously unknown, informative, and relevant to the current speaker's ongoing project. The analysis draws on large corpora of audio- and video-recorded ordinary and institutional interactions in British and American English. We use the methodology of Conversation Analysis to examine sequential environments in which right is used, its interactional import, and prosodic realizations. • The response particle right is used differently in US versus UK English interaction. • In US English, right coneys a knowing stance and sometimes epistemic authority. • In UK English, right registers information as previously unknown but informative. • Implications of these findings are discussed. • The study employs Conversation Analysis to examine diverse data corpora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interpretation of isolated response particles (méi(yǒu)/bù) in Mandarin Chinese, when used as fragment answers to negative polar questions, has traditionally been considered as conveying Double Negation. The present study shows that these response particles may express a Single Negation meaning in addition to a Rejection interpretation when specific contextual settings are considered. It is also shown that both Single Negation and Rejection readings are associated with specific prosodic and gestural cues at the time of production. In perception, gestural properties of silent videos are preferably interpreted as conveying Single Negation. In production and interpretation this study supports the conclusion that a Rejection meaning for méiyǒu/bù corresponds to a marked reading, and that Single Negation is produced and interpreted more readily and faster than Rejection. Native speakers of Mandarin Chinese rely on multimodal mechanisms (prosodic and gestural strategies) at the time of expressing both Single Negation and Rejection meanings by means of isolated response particles. We discuss the implications of this study beyond Mandarin Chinese. • Isolated response particles (méi(yǒu)/bù) may be associated with Single Negation. • Both SN and Rejection readings are activated by prosodic and gestural cues. • Rejection meaning for méiyǒu/bù corresponds to a marked reading. • SN is produced and interpreted more readily and faster than Rejection. • Mandarin Chinese speakers rely on multimodal mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the functions of the response particle m / mm , a cover term for the various realizations of the bilabial [m], in Greek conversations from a CA perspective. We focus on one sequential position (second) and examine its phonetic/prosodic manifestations. We furthermore look into some multimodal aspects in the use of m / mm , more specifically, its co-occurrence with nods. Οur analysis establishes (a) the preferential relationship between the prosodically unmarked variants of the free-standing monosyllabic form with falling intonation and the actions of receipting information after a volunteered informing, agreeing with an assessment, responding affirmatively to a polar interrogative; (b) the binding relationship between the free-standing bisyllabic form with higher pitch and stress on the first syllable, a glottal stop between the syllables, plus falling intonation contour, and disaffirmation. Moreover, it is shown that the functional division of labor associated with the design of the vocal tokens is also reflected in the type of nod that goes with them. It is suggested that the vocal and the kinesic items be regarded as part and parcel of a single multimodal unit in the service of (minimal) alignment and, under certain conditions, of heightened interactional involvement. • Various realizations of [m] used for responding in Greek conversations are examined. • Such vocal responses most commonly co-occur with nods. • A division of labor between certain realizations of [m] and functions is observed. • The functional division of labor of vocal forms is reflected in the type of nod. • Along with prosody, nods may index respondents' upgraded interactional involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares two Finnish change-of-state tokens, aijaa and aha , that share the same basic epistemic meaning: they treat the prior talk as new information. It will be shown that they differ with respect to what status they assign to the prior informing in the larger activity context and the import of the informing for the particle speaker's project. That is, aijaa treats the prior informing as newsworthy and thus worthy of further discussion, whereas aha receives informings that redirect the on-going talk in a way that has consequences for the aha speaker's project and thus requires reorientation. The general aim of the paper is to identify relevant parameters for distinguishing between change-of-state tokens in a language that has an abundance of elements for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]