Gestures as Requests for Information: Initiating Repair Operations in German Native-Speaker Conversation

Abstract

There are a number of ways in which one can communicate misunderstanding, and in doing so, ask one’s speech partners to perform a variety of actions to resolve misunderstandings. From subtle signs, to outright interruptions, we can ask those we converse with to clarify, repeat, or otherwise explain what they have said to aid in our understanding of their previous utterances. This article will discuss the role of gesture in initiating repair in German native speaker conversation, focusing on “head tilt” and “head poke” style gestures (Seo and Koshik 2219) and their use as requests for information. The focus will be on the use of body orientation toward one’s speech partner, for example, leaning forward or orienting one’s torso toward a co-participant. Broadly defined, I will be looking at examples that present instances of repair initiation, the initiation being a request for information or confirmation, to which a co-participant orients and responds.