week 9- language and law

Question 1

what may modality lead to?

Answer 1

Epistemic or extrinsic modality = Possibility

Deontic or intrinsic modality = Permission

Question 2

what are discourse markers?

Answer 2

• They structure utterances and arguments and, in this sense are the spoken equivalent of argument markers (like ‘however’, ‘therefore’ and so on).
• act as significant framing and editing devices in face-to-face interaction
• serve usefully as ‘floorholders’, for example, or to monitor feedback (e.g. okay?)
• indicate hesitation of nervousness; or the desire to make contact

Question 3

how is ‘so’ used in police interviews?

Answer 3

• as a discourse marker

- to hold the floor

Question 4

Information-seeking

Answer 4

Open questions – e.g. So if I take you back to that day, can you tell me…?
• Wh-questions – e.g. So who was there then?
• Yes/No questions – e.g. So was she already there when you arrived?

Question 5

Confirmation-seeking questions:

Answer 5

e.g. So she was already there when you arrived?

Question 6

Confirmation-seeking gist questions

Answer 6

e.g. So he turned up at your address at two o’clock on either Thursday or Friday?

Question 7

Confirmation-seeking upshot questions

Answer 7

e.g. S: I know what a replica [gun] looks like P: So you know about guns?