The Functions of Backchannels

5. They may be accompanied by body-motion. 6. They may be replaced by body language. 32

5. The Functions of Backchannels

Several researchers have contributed to determine backchannel functions. Fries, Yngve, and Orestrom believe that backchannels are a means for the non-primary speaker to give a signal to the primary speaker that he or she understands and agrees. 33 Furthermore, Tottie claims that backchannels have several functions, which normally occur simultaneously. They signal understanding and agreement, what can be termed the supportive function and encourage the speaker to continue his or her turn. Backchannels may end up as a turn, if the previous speaker shows no willingness to continue speaking. 34 Moreover, Maynard classified the functions of backchannels into six functions as follows, 35 1. Continuers According to Schegloff, backchannels functions as a continuer whereby the hearer, by using backchannels cues, they mandating 32 Anna –Brita Stenstrom, Impromptu Speech: A Symposium. Abo: Abo Akademis Kopieringscentrtal 1 st ed, 1982, p. 321. 33 Pino Cutrone, “The Backchannel norms of Native English Speakers: A Target for Japanese L2 English Learners”, Language Studies Working Papers vol. 2, 2010, p. 4. 34 Gunnel Tottie, Conversational Style in British and American English: The case of backchannels, New York: Longman, 1991, p. 256-257. 35 Pino Cutrone 2010, loc. cit. the current speaker to continue speaking. 36 The main functions of this type of backchannels are for the non-primary speaker to signal the primary speaker that they are listening, and allow the primary speaker to continue his or her turn. This can be seen in the following example below, A. I‟ll pick it up from his place B. Mm hm A. A t around 7 o‟clock. 37 Gardner explains that items such as „Mm-hm‟ and „Uh-huh‟ with a fall rising intonation are indicated as continuers. Besides, items such as „Yeah‟ and „Mmm‟ are called acknowledgement tokens and also serve as continuers. 38 2. Display of understanding of content This function of backchannels occurs when non-primary speaker feels it is necessary to show that he or she understands about the primary speaker is talking about, as in the following example, A: You have to go two blocks. B: Mm hm. A: then turn left at the video store. 36 In Ron White, “Backchannelling, repair, pausing, and private speech”, Applied Linguistics Vol. 18, no. 3, 1997, p. 323. 37 Pino Cutrone 2010, loc. cit. 38 In Ibid, pp. 4-5. B: Uh huh. A: It‟s a few stores down on the right side. B: I see. A: You can‟t miss it. 39 Yule maintains that the types of signal „uh-huh‟, „yeah‟, „mmm‟ indicated that the non-primary speaker is following, and not objecting to, what speaker is saying. 40 „Yeah‟ is thought to serve several functions, one of the functions is to show understanding of content. 41 3. Agreement This function of backchannels occurs when the non-primary speaker reacts to a question or question like utterance made by the primary speaker, as in the example below, A: You mean you heard the news already. B: Ya C. I was going to tell you. 42 In example such this, it may be difficult to distinguish between the agreement and understanding categories. According to Tao and Thompson, a distinction by pointing out that the non-primary 39 Ibid. 40 George Yule 1996, Op. cit, pp. 75-76. 41 Pino Cutrone 2010, op. cit, p. 5. 42 Ibid. speaker gives a claim of understanding when the primary speaker provides some new and previously unknown information to the non-primary speaker. In the other hand, acknowledgement of agreement does not involve unknown information. 43 4. Support and empathy toward the speaker‟s judgment This function of backchannels occurs when the non-primary speaker respond with a show of support and empathy to a statement produced by the primary speaker, as in the following example below, A: He quit his job again B: It‟s going to be hard to find a new one A: Yeah B: He‟ll have to apply... Geaney mantains that backchannels is vocal cues that signify that the primary speaker still has the non- primary‟s interest. 44 Maynard identifies „Yeah‟ as a backchannel form that can be used to express support and empathy towards the primary speaker‟s judgment. 45 43 In Ibid. pp. 5-6. 44 Declan Geaney, Discourse Analysis and Related Topics for Teachers of English as a Second Language 1 st ed. Praha: Karolinum, 1996, p. 69. 45 In Pino Cutrone 2010, op. cit, p. 6. 5. Strong emotional response This function of backchannels occurs when the non-primary speaker responds emphatically to a statement produced by the primary speaker, which indicate more than simple continuer, understanding or support, as in the following example, A. I got an A+ on my Chemistry test. B. Fantastic A. I hope I can keep it up all semester. Goodwin has suggested assessment such as „Wow‟ or „Great‟ serves as strong emotive responses. 46 6. Minor addition or request for information This function of backchannels occur when the non-primary speaker corrects something the primary speaker has just uttered, when the non-primary speaker needs clarification or when the non-primary speaker attempts to add a word in completing the utterance of the primary speaker, as the example below, A: John will likely be back in April. B: Really. A. Yeah, the government is reducing troops in the gulf. 47 46 In Ibid. 47 Ibid. p. 7. Maynard has pointed out that the item such as „Really‟ is a common backchannel form to request confirmation. 48 However, the intonation is important to produce backchannels. Stenstrom describes that the backchannels can reflect empathy, enthusiasm, and indignation, but they can also reflect a lack of interest, indifference, and impatience. 49

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