Establishment of topic Ex. 4

11.4 Grammar 133 In early stages of language learning, Mmmm is a most useful conversation sustainer. When you don ‘t really know what is being said, the neutral form of Mmmm should be used at the place you think is the end of the information unit, for example: ―The man went to town.‖ Mmmm. ―He bought a gun.‖ 2 Aaaa Aaaa means ‗I‘m assimilating the information you are telling me.‘ It may be used when you are being told something, such as the symptoms of a sickness or the news that someone has arrived in town. 3 Ajáj Ajáj may be used to indicate ‗I‘ve grasped the information and am basically acceptingagreeing with it.‘ 4 Napíra Napíra ‗very well‘, is stronger agreement and is often used at each stage of unfolding plans, proposals, etc.

11.4.3.2 Conversation sustainers which convey strong emotional overtones

Conversational sustainers which convey strong emotional overtones are not neutral and show fairly strong sentiment on the part of the listener. 1 Aaiii Aaiii denotes sympathy towards the person in distress about whom the speaker is talking. The distress is usually that of physical pain or heartbreak. 2 Aajo Aajo also denotes sympathy, but the distress here is usually loss or damage to physical property or a setback or frustration in plans.

11.4.3.3 Conversation sustainers that convey surprise

Astonishment or amazement at what has been said is conveyed by these conversation sustainers. 1 Maa-chi Maa-chi ‗Wow‘ lit.: ―Boy‖ is a drawn-out expression of the word machi ‗boy‘. It is used to respond to the description of any event or thing of unusual nature, for example, a huge fish, a narrow escape. 2 Chunna Chunna ‗Really‘ parallels the English usage fairly closely.

11.4.3.4 Negative conversation sustainer responses

Sometimes a conversation sustainer is a negative response. 1 Chuli Chuli ‗no‘ is used in disagreement andor denial. 2 Jáj Jáj is made by a quick contraction of the diaphragm and expresses displeasure or disgust. It is used to show strong disagreement with what is being said.

11.4.3.5 Question words used as conversation sustainers Question words, such as toa

‗Who?‘, ibi ‗What?‘, inkwa ‗When?‘, igi ‗How?‘ , and pia ‗Where?‘ are interjected at various points in the speaker ‘s conversation to show interest and to encourage the speaker to go into more detail.