Metalanguage in Interaction
Hebrew discourse markers
University of Haifa
Metalanguage in Interaction is about the crystallization of metalanguage employed throughout interaction into the discourse markers which permeate talk. Based on close analysis of naturally-occurring Hebrew conversation, it is a synchronic study of the grammaticization of discourse markers, a phenomenon until now mostly studied from a diachronic perspective. It constitutes the first monograph in the fields of Hebrew interactional linguistics and Hebrew discourse markers.
The book first presents what is unique to the present approach to discourse markers and gives them an operational definition. Discourse markers are explored as a system, illuminating their patterning in terms of function, structure, and the moments in interaction at which they are employed. Next, detailed analysis of four Hebrew discourse markers illuminates not only the functions and grammaticization patterns of these markers, but also what they reveal about quintessential aspects of Israeli society, identity, and culture. The conclusion discusses commonalities and differences in the grammaticization patterns of the four markers, and relates the grammaticization of discourse markers from interaction to projectability in discourse.
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series, 181]
2009.
xvi, 258 pp.
Publishing status: Available
Hardbound – Available
ISBN
9789027254269
|
EUR
95.00
|
USD
143.00
e-Book – Sold by e-book platforms
ISBN
9789027289506
|
EUR
95.00
|
USD
143.00
Table of Contents
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Transcription conventions
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xi–xii
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Preface
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xiii–xiv
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Acknowledgments
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xv–xvi
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Chapter 1: Introduction. Metalanguage in interaction: Discourse markers as a system
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1–40
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Chapter 2: The interpersonal realm. The discourse marker nu: Israeli Hebrew impatience in interaction
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41–77
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Chapter 3: The textual realm. The discourse marker bekitsur: Retroactively constructing digressions
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79–125
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Chapter 4: The cognitive realm. The discourse marker ke'ilu: Realizing the need to rephrase
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127–170
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Chapter 5: Between realms. The discourse marker tov: Accepting while shifting
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171–205
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Chapter 6: Concluding remarks. Grammaticization from interaction
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207–232
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Bibliography
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233–249
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Author index
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251–252
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Subject index
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253–258
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Quotes
“I think this book will be interesting to anyone involved in determining how language works in 'real life'. In addition to linguists, scholars interested in cross-cultural communication, Israeli culture, and the evolution and uses of discourse markers in any language will find this book enlightening. The major contribution here is the combination of a study of discourse markers as such with a real-time description of their absorption into a new (or newly revived) language in a newly created society. We can see discourse markers in their formative stage and look forward to a future study in, say, 50 years' time.”
Beverly A. Lewin, Tel Aviv University, in Functions of Language, Vol. 19:1 (2012)
“Metalanguage in Interaction: Hebrew Discourse Markers breaks new ground in both the theory and analysis of discourse markers. Maschler's careful and thorough study of several Hebrew discourse markers shows how central they are to the production and interpretation of discourse from cognitive, textual and interpersonal perspectives. In addition to detailed and insightful analysis of the structural properties, functions and use of particular markers in an extensive corpus of conversational interaction, Maschler highlights the crucial, but often neglected, process of grammaticization of markers, their prosody and their role in bilingual switching. I highly recommend her book for scholars and students who want to learn not just about discourse markers, but also about discourse and language in general.”
Deborah Schiffrin,
Georgetown University
“Maschler's Metalanguage in Interaction: Hebrew discourse markers is an excellent piece of careful research, important for scholarship on Hebrew, on discourse markers and on processes of grammaticization. Pragmatists, grammaticization scholars, sociocultural researchers and conversational analysts would all find a wealth of insights in this highly recommended book.”
Mira Ariel,
Tel Aviv University
“In this pioneering work on discourse markers in Hebrew Yael Maschler provides a unique window on Hebrew talk-in-interaction. It is a very welcome addition to our growing understanding of cross-linguistic similarities and differences in the use of discourse markers to express a variety of interactional stances, from impatience to ironic disagreement.”
Elizabeth Closs Traugott,
Stanford University
“Where do discourse markers come from? This book offers fascinating answers. Few books show so convincingly how language is shaped by interaction.”
Peter Auer,
University of Freiburg
Subjects
Benjamins Subject classification
Linguistics
BIC Subject
CFG: Semantics, Pragmatics, Discourse Analysis
BISAC Subject
LAN009000: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics
U.S. Library of Congress Control Number: 2009004733