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Part of
New Perspectives in Interactional Linguistic Research
Edited by Margret Selting and Dagmar Barth-Weingarten
[Studies in Language and Social Interaction 36] 2024
► pp. 242–271

Noticing and assessing nature

A multimodal investigation of the format “perception imperative + exclamative” based on mobile eye-tracking data

| University of Freiburg
| University of Freiburg
| University of Potsdam
| Black Forest National Park

We analyze how walkers employ a verbal format, i.e., the combination of a perception imperative followed by a wie (‘how’)-exclamative (e.g., KUCK ma wie TRAUMhaft das is; ‘look PTCL how wonderful that is’), in its multimodal embedding, thus contributing to a multimodal extension of interactional linguistics. The analysis heavily relies on mobile eye-tracking as a method to collect naturally occurring data. It is argued that this kind of analysis would not be possible without the use of this novel technology. We focus on the role of the verbal format in the process of transforming individual perceptions into intersubjective experiences of nature, for which the precise documentation of gaze is essential. It is shown that the interactional function of this combined format is to draw the co-walker’s attention to an object in the surroundings and to express an affective stance towards it, treating the noticed referent as noteworthy and remarkable.

Keywords: noticing, assessment, perception imperative, exclamative, German, walking and talking, eye-tracking, joint attention, intersubjective experience of nature, mobile interactions
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background
    • 2.1Walking together
    • 2.2Walking together in nature
  • 3.The constructional format “perception imperative + wie (‘how’)-exclamative”
    • 3.1Perception imperatives
    • 3.2Wie ‘how’-exclamatives
  • 4.Data and methods
  • 5.The format and its multimodal embedding
  • 6.Solitary uses of perception imperatives or wie (‘how’)-exclamatives
    • 6.1Only the perception imperative is used
    • 6.2Only the ‘how’-exclamative” is used
  • 7.Conclusions
  • Author queries
  • Notes
  • References
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
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