What is a delay?

Definition
	A delay is an item used to put off a dispreferred second part.

Examples (English)
	The following exchange contains delays as a repair initiation in the second turn, insertion sequences in the fourth and fifth turns, and the well, pause, and self-repair in the sixth turn: A: Can you do it? B: What? A: Can you take care of it? B: Now? A: If that’s all right. B: Well, [pause] I mean, no, I’m afraid not.

Kinds
	Here are some kinds of delays:
	What is an insertion sequence? What is a preface?
	pause repair initiator

Source
	Levinson 1983 334–335

Context for this page:

Concept module: delay
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): D
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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