Turn Continuation in yeah/no Responding Turns: Glottalization and Vowel Linking as Contrastive Sound Patterns

This study makes an original contribution to the understanding of sound patterns in interaction by investigating glottalization and linking at word boundaries in naturally occurring talk. Specifically, the study shows how speakers of British English make use of the contrast between glottalized and linked vowel-fronted TCU boundaries in multi-unit turns. Second TCUs whose initial vowel is joined to the last sound of the first TCU routinely either extend or elaborate on the social action of the first TCU. Second TCUs whose initial vowel is glottalized routinely accomplish new actions that are distinct from those accomplished by the first TCU. After giving an overview of a wider collection of cases, the analysis focuses on yeah/no responding turns.