Word choice, turn construction, and topic management in German conversation

Using conversation analysis, this study examines the relationship between word choice and turn construction. In Siebenbürger Sächsisch, a Romanian settlement variety of German, certain adverbs possess functional variants that exhibit position-sensitivity with respect to their placement in turns in interaction. This study investigates the lexical items ientz(t)/'now' and ientzter/'now'. In interaction, speakers use these variants as resources to mark the status of a turn constructional unit or turn as complete or incomplete. Moreover, the use of ientz(t) and ientzter is sensitive to the placement within the larger sequence: Turn-final ientzter is tied to the management of topics in interaction, specifically to promoting a new action trajectory. This study outlines an intersection of turn construction, topic development, and word choice and expands the body of comparative work in conversation analysis.

Published online: 31 January 2011
https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.123.16bet