First and second person forms as resources for open reference and participation in Finnish everyday conversations

Marja-Liisa Helasvuo*, Karita Suomalainen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Based on data from Finnish conversational interaction, this article explores the use of 1st and 2nd person forms in creating deictically non-specific, open reference. We focus on the linguistic and embodied features of turns that contain these open personal forms and examine their sequential positioning. We show that the 1st and 2nd person forms that receive a deictically open interpretation typically occur in assessments, accounts of personal experience, and imaginary descriptions. They function as deictic displacements, shifting the origo of the speech situation, and causing a change of footing in the discourse roles, thus modulating the participation framework of the speech situation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication(Non)referentiality in Conversation
EditorsMichael C. Ewing, Ritva Laury
PublisherJohn Benjamins
Chapter3
Pages35-55
ISBN (Electronic)9789027247049
ISBN (Print)9789027214621
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024
MoE publication typeA3 Part of a book or another research book

Publication series

NamePragmatics & Beyond New Series
PublisherJohn Benjamins
Volume344

Keywords

  • Finnish
  • everyday conversation
  • deixis
  • open reference
  • person expressions

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