Preference Structure The Scope of Conversation Analysis
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film by asking B whether she already knows about the film or not. The question is in turn followed by B
’s answer
. Further to this, A finally launches the invitation in which B accepts it in reply. In this situation, the question-answer session prior
to the invitation is called pre-sequence, and the type of the pre-sequence is pre- invitation.
2 Insert-expansions or Insert-sequences
Insert-sequence, which is also known as insertion sequence, is a sequence inserted between a base FPP and a base SPP Yule, 1996: 78. Although it appears
to be a sequence that delays the outcome of a base SPP, it still performs some conversational actions related to a base sequence. It is sometimes produced to
seek more explanation for an unclear base FPP. e.g.
Agent : Do you want the early flight? Client : What time does it arrive?
Agent : Nine forty-five. Insert-sequence
Client
: Yeah, that’s great.
Yule, 1996: 78 In the dialogue, the agent asks the client whether she wants to take the
early flight. However, the client does not give hisher answer immediately. She delays the answer by asking the agent about when the flight will arrive. As soon
as the agent gives an answer to the question, the client elicits an answer to the initial question produced by the agent. In this case, the question-answer sequence
initiated by the client serves as an insertion sequence.
3 Post-expansions or Post-sequences
Post-sequence is a sequence which follows a base SPP. It may occur as a reaction towards a base SPP. Post-sequence has two types: minimal and non-
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minimal Sidnell, 2010: 104. A minimal post-expansion consists of only one turn. It ordinarily functions to be a closing turn following a sequence prior to it
Liddicoat, 2007: 152. On the other hand, a non-minimal post-expansion contains a sequence of two turns which projects a further sequence Liddicoat, 2007: 170.
e.g. Nancy : Does he have his own apartment?
Hyla :
hhhh Yeah.
Nancy : Oh. minimal post-expansion
Heritage in Sidnell, 2010: 104 In the extract, it is shown that the speakers make a sequence of question-
answer. The first speaker, Nancy, addresses a YesNo question to the second speaker, Hyla, in which Hyla subsequently responds to the question with a brief
answer. Following the answer, Nancy produces another turn of her own by saying Oh. At this point, the short response Oh acts as a minimal post-expansion that
closes the question-answer sequence. It serves as an indication that Nancy has received necessary information from an answer to her question given by Hyla.