Quote–unquote in one variety of German: Two interactional functions of pivot constructions used as frames for quotation in Siebenbürger Sächsisch

This conversation analytic study investigates pivot constructions used as frames for quotation in German. Specifically, it describes the use of a systematic lexical final boundary for reported speech (an ‘unquote’). German has various resources to mark boundaries of quotes but is said to lack overt grammaticalized ways of ‘unquoting’ (e.g., enclitics, final particles). The present study documents a lexico-syntactic unquote and outlines two distinct interactional functions. It focuses on the use of syntactic pivots in Siebenbürger Sächsisch, a settlement variety of German that developed in Romania.In Siebenbürger Sächsisch, mirror-image frames delimit short, direct self- or other-quotes. A (past) form of sän (‘to say’) is used in the frame. Most occur in storytelling sequences. Two functions of the quote–unquote construction are identified: (1) marking or projecting the upcoming story climax by framing the first unit of the climax and (2) dealing with problems in uptake in different action environments by recompleting a turn. These two functions correspond to two distinct constructional patterns of the pivot: interactionally embedded (for marking story peaks) vs. interactionally exposed (for response pursuit).These findings further our understanding of the structuring of storytelling, the negotiation of problems in recipiency, and the importance of prosody for action formation.

► Syntactic pivots can be used as frames for quotation in German conversation.
► An explicit lexical unquote is identified; two interactional functions are described.
► Quote–unquote-type pivots frame a story climax or elements that project the climax.
► Pivots are also used to manage problems in uptake by recompleting a turn.
► Different uses correspond to distinct constructional patterns: exposed vs. embedded.