How do you show the person you are speaking with that you follow what they say and expect them to continue? Now, how do you do that in a second or third language?
In Norwegian, you likely do m᷉m – that is, two syllables of m with the wave-like intonation known as the East Norwegian ‘second tonal accent’. This response particle is heard in the vast majority of conversations in Norwegian, yet it has so far escaped scientific documentation. In my dissertation, I demonstrate how it does social actions in conversation, and argue that its use as a so-called ‘continuer’ – showing that you follow and expect continuation – has been routinized as part of Norwegian conversational culture.
Its culture-dependence is revealed by its absence in other languages. In English, where such particles have been investigated since the 1970s, the ‘classic continuer’ is mhm. Mhm is used in Norwegian as well, but rarely, and, I would argue, often then with a twinge of inacceptance. While in European Spanish, my dissertation demonstrates that any such vocal continuers are rare, and we primarily do listening to long turns by staying silent and embodiedly still, fixing gaze on the turn-holding speaker.
Of course, in our second and third languages, we adapt and compensate for such differences, moment-to-moment and with our full linguistic and embodied repertoirs. Nevertheless, reflecting on such cultural traits can be of assistance when doing listening and trying to make sense of, and with, each other.
The defense will be streamed:
Trial lecture
Topic: "What Multimodal Conversation Analysis can tell us about linguistic and/or cultural differences."
Time and place: Friday 12 September, 10:15 AM, Sophus Bugges hus, auditorium 2.
The trial lecture will be streamed:
Evaluation committee
- Professor Richard Ogden, University of York (first opponent)
- Dr. Luis Ignacio Satti, University of Milan (second opponent)
- Associate Professor Kathrine Asla Østby, University of Oslo (commitee administrator)
Chair of the defence
Supervisors
- Associate Professor Alexandra Anna Spalek, University of Oslo
- Associate Professor Chase Wesley Raymond, The University of Colorado Boulder