Prosody as a resource for action formation and ascription in talk-in-interaction: the case of formulations in court

ABSTRACT

Based on the theoretical and methodological perspectives of Interactional Linguistics and Conversation Analysis, this study investigates how the prosodic feature pitch contributes to the formation and ascription of actions through the interactional practice of formulations within the court environment. It is argued that the analyzed formulations vary in terms of prosody according to the locally and situatedly performed action: checking understandings and challenging the interlocutor.

Key-words:
Conversation Analysis; Interactional Linguistics; Prosody; Formulations