A cross-linguistic exploration of demonstratives in interaction
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Makoto Hayashi
Abstract
This study examines uses of demonstratives as filler words in the context where speakers encounter trouble in formulating a word during spontaneous speech production. Focusing on three East Asian languages (Japanese, Korean and Mandarin), we first document the range of forms and functions of demonstratives as fillers observed in naturally-occurring conversations. We then explore theoretical issues that arise from this empirical observation, including the question of why demonstratives, among all linguistic items, are utilized as a tool to deal with word-formulation trouble. By investigating the hitherto neglected usages of demonstratives in social interaction, our study contributes both to typological studies of demonstratives and to interactional studies of grammatical phenomena. Keywords: demonstratives; interaction; word-formulation trouble; placeholder; interjective hesitator
Abstract
This study examines uses of demonstratives as filler words in the context where speakers encounter trouble in formulating a word during spontaneous speech production. Focusing on three East Asian languages (Japanese, Korean and Mandarin), we first document the range of forms and functions of demonstratives as fillers observed in naturally-occurring conversations. We then explore theoretical issues that arise from this empirical observation, including the question of why demonstratives, among all linguistic items, are utilized as a tool to deal with word-formulation trouble. By investigating the hitherto neglected usages of demonstratives in social interaction, our study contributes both to typological studies of demonstratives and to interactional studies of grammatical phenomena. Keywords: demonstratives; interaction; word-formulation trouble; placeholder; interjective hesitator
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
- Parameters for typological variation of placeholders 11
- A cross-linguistic exploration of demonstratives in interaction 33
- Placeholder verbs in Modern Georgian 67
- From interrogatives to placeholders in Udi and Agul spontaneous narratives 95
- Fillers and placeholders in Nahavaq 119
- The interactional profile of a placeholder 139
- Fillers and their relevance in describing Sliammon Salish 173
- Pauses, fillers, placeholders and formulaicity in Alzheimer’s discourse 189
- Language index 217
- Name index 219
- Subject index 221
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
- Parameters for typological variation of placeholders 11
- A cross-linguistic exploration of demonstratives in interaction 33
- Placeholder verbs in Modern Georgian 67
- From interrogatives to placeholders in Udi and Agul spontaneous narratives 95
- Fillers and placeholders in Nahavaq 119
- The interactional profile of a placeholder 139
- Fillers and their relevance in describing Sliammon Salish 173
- Pauses, fillers, placeholders and formulaicity in Alzheimer’s discourse 189
- Language index 217
- Name index 219
- Subject index 221
