Abstract
This paper explores the linkage between intonation nested in conversation turns where the speaker is introducing something delicate (e.g., presenting information liable to provoke distancing) or pre-empting resistance to their proposal when there is a strong risk of rejection. These movements, which appear prosodically marked, deviate not only from the local context of the conversation, but from the conversation as a whole. A speech acoustic analysis of three examples of prosodic signalling within these turns suggests that speakers employ a distinct design and delivery which includes a high terminal peak in the intonation contour. We interpret this signalling to represent responsive and resistant local social actions in a rejection implicative sequential environment. Finally, they show evidence of being pre-planned and important to the speaker.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | International Journal of Applied Linguistics (United Kingdom) |
| ISSN | 0802-6106 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2019 |
Keywords
- Intonation
- politeness
- preempting
- prosody
- rejection
- resistance