Marking Boundaries Between Activities: The Particle nii in Estonian

Abstract

This article studies a practice of marking transitions to a next activity in Estonian interaction. The particle nii is implemented at boundaries between activities or phases of activities, showing that a pragmatic particle need not be implemented only in regard to verbal matters, such as topic or turn sequence. Nii marks the prior activity or its phase as being closed down and the next one as imminent. Sequences of verbal and nonverbal actions in audio- and videorecordings disclose the multimodal nature of the boundaries marked by nii. Boundary marking entails a number of interactional capacities, including summoning, claiming authority, setting the agenda, making salient transitions within an individual course of action, marking the expectedness of the sequencing of activities, and changing opportunities for participation.