Svennevig2012d

From emcawiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Svennevig2012d
BibType ARTICLE
Key Svennevig2012d
Author(s) Jan Svennevig
Title Reformulation of questions with candidate answers
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, Institutional interaction, questions, reformulations, second-language conversation, understanding
Publisher
Year 2013
Language
City
Month
Journal The International Journal of Bilingualism
Volume 17
Number 2
Pages 189–204
URL Link
DOI 10.1177/1367006912441419
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

Download BibTex

Abstract

This article deals with a multiunit question format in which an open question is reformulated as a more specific yes–no question or a list of alternatives. The reformulation is considered a technique for preempting manifest or potential problems of formulating an appropriate answer. The reformulated question proposes one or more candidate answers to the original question and thereby guides the interlocutor in the direction of a relevant type of response. The question format is interpreted mainly as a practice for promoting understanding and participation by the nonnative speaker. In addition, it displays expectations of possible answers and may thus be considered a way of demonstrating common ground and thereby achieving affiliation. On the other hand, the alternatives proposed may on occasions restrain the freedom of the interlocutor to formulate an independent answer and may then be considered a dominating move.

Notes