At the intersection of text and talk: On the reproduction and transformation of language in the multi-lingual evaluation of multi-lingual texts

Abstract

Reported speech is the most important feature in the reproduction and transformation of language as a living phenomenon. Speakers generally draw on prosodic means to distinguish reported from reporting discourse. In multi-lingual contexts, change of language and translations add resources and constraints on setting reported speech apart. This study analyzes the phenomenon of reported speech in a multi-lingual context where the multi-lingual source texts are available in the setting. Prosody and (deictic, iconic) gestures are important means to set apart both direct and indirect reported speech.