NP Turn Extensions in Korean Conversation

Abstract

In interactional linguistics, a significant of amount of research has been carried out to show the relationship between conversation, social actions, and grammar. This study is an attempt to examine NP extensions in terms of turn-constructional practice from a conversation- analytic perspective. Focusing on sequential and interactional contexts of full NP turn extensions, this research first classifies types of NP turn extensions based on the notions of the intonation unit (IU) and constituency into (i) intra-IU NP extensions and (ii) inter-IU NP extensions, and then into (i) argument NP extensions and (ii) non-argument NP extensions. Based on the types and frequency of NP turn extensions, this inquiry shows that the following interactional motivations are responsible for the occurrence of NP turn extensions: (i) a rush-through, (ii) a motivation for presenting a more urgently relevant material first, (iii) recipient design, and (iv) a motivation for pursuing uptake from a recipient. In particular, this research shows that NP turn extensions in inter-IU turns are closely related to the lack of recipient uptake (Ford, Fox and Thompson 2001). Next, this exploration shows that NP turn extensions perform the following interactional functions: (i) providing more specific information to the 'general' statement expressed in the preceding host TCU, (ii) expressing functions such as contrast and emphasis, and (iii) retroactive repair, elaboration, or reformulation, among others. These findings show the interactive nature of conversation manifested in the act of incrementing turns in the manner of revising, specifying, elaborating, and extending what has been said in the immediately preceding host TCU. Finally, this research suggests that an interaction-based explanation of the occurrence of full NP turn extensions can provide a better way of explaining word order variability in Korean than do traditional or formal approaches.