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Partial intersubjectivity and sufficient understandings for current practical purposes: On a specialized practice in Swedish conversation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2016

Per Linell  and
Jan Lindström
Per Linell
Affiliation:
Department of Education, Communication and Learning, Göteborg University, P.O. Box 300, SE-40530 Göteborg, Sweden. [email protected]
Jan Lindström
Affiliation:
Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 24 (Unioninkatu 40), 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper explores issues of intersubjectivity and shared understanding as they arise in dyadic spoken interaction. Using data from Swedish conversations, we approach the topic by focusing on the functions of a reactive construction that occurs in situations when a linguistic expression (x) has been used in a prior utterance, and this expression is found to be only partially acceptable in the situation at hand. It is therefore reacted to by one of the interlocutors, and negotiated in a new turn initiated by x-å-x, i.e. a unit in which two identical copies of x are conjoined by å ‘and’, and then expanded by a supporting argument. The pragmatic functions of the construction include that of suggesting a sufficient clarification of what should be a reasonable situated meaning and an intersubjective basis for ensuing talk.

Keywords

conversationintersubjectivityreactive constructionsocial interactionsubjectivitysufficient clarification and understandingSwedishx-å-x
Type
Research Article
Information
Nordic Journal of Linguistics , Volume 39 , Special Issue 2: Discourse, Grammar and Intersubjectivity , October 2016 , pp. 113 - 133
Copyright
Copyright © Nordic Association of Linguistics 2016 

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