Chapter published in:
Mobilizing Others: Grammar and lexis within larger activities
Edited by Carmen Taleghani-Nikazm, Emma Betz and Peter Golato
[Studies in Language and Social Interaction 33] 2020
► pp. 147–173

Linguistic structures emerging in the synchronization of a Pilates class

| Linköping University
This chapter targets grammar in the interactive process between a Pilates teacher and the exercising students, an activity context in which instruction and compliance can be designed to merge in time. It shows how linguistic structure, such as counts, formula, and phrases, emerges step-by-step sensitively to the others’ currently moving bodies. At the same time, the situation-designed structures direct the students through the partially known moves. In contrast to formal theories that consider grammar as a device for coherent expression of propositions, this study argues that grammatical structure emerges through recurrent use in a specific activity context. The video-recorded data is in Estonian.
Keywords: interactional linguistics, embodiment, instruction, emergent grammar, rhythm, synchronization, Estonian, formula, counting, repetition
Published online: 13 May 2020
https://doi.org/10.1075/slsi.33.06kee
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Helmer, Henrike
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