Chapter 2. Nu -prefaced responses in Russian conversation
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Galina B. Bolden
Abstract
This chapter examines the Russian particle nu, focusing on its use in responses to polar and question-word questions. I show that nu prefaces responses that are, in some way, misaligned vis-à-vis the initiating action. First, nu may preface non-type-conforming responses, i.e., responses that “depart from the constraints embodied in the grammatical form” of the question (Raymond 2003, 946). Such responses may operate on the terms of the question, correct its presuppositions, resist the action the question implements, and problematize its assumption of answerability. Second, nu may preface responses that conform to the question’s grammatical constraints and forward its action agenda, but convey an incongruent epistemic stance by suggesting that the questioner already knows the solicited information.
Abstract
This chapter examines the Russian particle nu, focusing on its use in responses to polar and question-word questions. I show that nu prefaces responses that are, in some way, misaligned vis-à-vis the initiating action. First, nu may preface non-type-conforming responses, i.e., responses that “depart from the constraints embodied in the grammatical form” of the question (Raymond 2003, 946). Such responses may operate on the terms of the question, correct its presuppositions, resist the action the question implements, and problematize its assumption of answerability. Second, nu may preface responses that conform to the question’s grammatical constraints and forward its action agenda, but convey an incongruent epistemic stance by suggesting that the questioner already knows the solicited information.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
-
Sequential departures
- Chapter 2. Nu -prefaced responses in Russian conversation 25
- Chapter 3. Bueno -, pues -, and bueno-pues -prefacing in Spanish conversation 59
- Chapter 4. Two types of trouble with questions 97
- Chapter 5. Diverging from ‘business as usual’ 119
- Chapter 6. Turn-initial particles in English 155
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Epistemic and Related Issues
- Chapter 7. A -prefaced responses to inquiry in Japanese 193
- Chapter 8. Treating something as self-evident 225
- Chapter 9. Reformulating prior speaker’s turn in Finnish 251
- Chapter 10. Turn design and progression 287
- Chapter 11. Making up one’s mind in second position 315
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Sequence Management
- Chapter 12. Calibrating an agnostic epistemic stance in Swedish conversation 341
- Chapter 13. Turn-initial voilà in closings in French 371
- Chapter 14. Turn-initial naja in German 413
- Chapter 15. Justifying departures from progressivity 445
- Appendix 477
- Author Index 481
- Subject index 485
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
-
Sequential departures
- Chapter 2. Nu -prefaced responses in Russian conversation 25
- Chapter 3. Bueno -, pues -, and bueno-pues -prefacing in Spanish conversation 59
- Chapter 4. Two types of trouble with questions 97
- Chapter 5. Diverging from ‘business as usual’ 119
- Chapter 6. Turn-initial particles in English 155
-
Epistemic and Related Issues
- Chapter 7. A -prefaced responses to inquiry in Japanese 193
- Chapter 8. Treating something as self-evident 225
- Chapter 9. Reformulating prior speaker’s turn in Finnish 251
- Chapter 10. Turn design and progression 287
- Chapter 11. Making up one’s mind in second position 315
-
Sequence Management
- Chapter 12. Calibrating an agnostic epistemic stance in Swedish conversation 341
- Chapter 13. Turn-initial voilà in closings in French 371
- Chapter 14. Turn-initial naja in German 413
- Chapter 15. Justifying departures from progressivity 445
- Appendix 477
- Author Index 481
- Subject index 485
