A classification system for describing quotative content

Academic investigations of quotative content tend to either provide detailed descriptions of specific discourse contexts or differentiate quotative content only on a superficial level to facilitate quantification over large datasets. To date, no comprehensive classification system has been developed that can capture different quotative uses in larger datasets and thereby offer further insights into the patterns of use of quotatives as a stylistic feature in informal interactions. The present research aims to address this gap by introducing such a quotative content classification system. This proposed system conceptualises quotative content on six levels, each describing a different aspect of quotative use. The levels were developed based on the analysis of a set of informal dyadic interactions between native speakers of New Zealand English. The study draws on examples from the data to illustrate the different classification levels and describe the coding parameters, followed by an analysis of the dataset using basic quantitative measures to show how the classification system can be used. The classification system is proposed here as a starting point for analysis of other datasets in order to facilitate inter- and cross-cultural comparisons of quotative use.

► The paper proposes a classification system to capture quotative content.
► Quotative content is conceptualised on 6 levels, each describing a different feature.
► The system bridges the gap between quantitative and qualitative studies on quotatives.
► The system allows for inter- and cross-cultural studies on the use of quotatives as an interactional style feature.