Empty Speech

[Red5]

As I was walking into work this morning, I heard a student say 'This is me talking.' Bizarrely, he didn't follow it up with anything. It seemed to me the ultimate in phatic speech- utterly meaningless....

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[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Red5

As I was walking into work this morning, I heard a student say 'This is me talking.' Bizarrely, he didn't follow it up with anything. It seemed to me the ultimate in phatic speech- utterly meaningless....

Read more...

Ok. I went to the link, read what was there and found myself saying "Huh?" So, I read it again and again, and I'm still confused. What're the pragmatics here? Sounds to me like the student was saying "Hey. I'm talking to you. It's me talking, over here. :D

[Tdol]

I'm talking to you + silence = ?

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by tdol

I'm talking to you + silence = ?

Sam: Hello. (Said in Pat's direction)
Pat: (Unresponsive. Probably didn't hear Sam.)
Sam: It's me talking. (Said in Pat's direction)
Pat: (Unresponsive. Probably didn't hear Sam.)
Sam: (Silence. Embarrassed)

[Tdol]

Pat (silence, angry)
Sam (silence, uncomfortable)
Pat- oh
Sam Is that you talking?
Pat- silence

When social English sounds like Samual Beckett on a grey day, I start getting worried.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by tdol

Pat (silence, angry)
Sam (silence, uncomfortable)
Pat- oh
Sam Is that you talking?
Pat- silence

When social English sounds like Samual Beckett on a grey day, I start getting worried.

Start?
You should be terrified :D

[Tdol]

Eek!