Speech prosody and social meaning

 Robert Xu, Harvard University

Wednesday, Dec. 18th at 1 pm (Brasilia time, UTC -3)

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/live/zqgNALrF6MI

Abstract: This talk explores how third-wave sociolinguistic theories can deepen our understanding of the structure and function of speech prosody, particularly in social interactions. Key concepts such as indexicality, style, stancetaking, and enregisterment will be introduced and exemplified through an ecologically-minded study of prominent social types in Beijing. I will demonstrate how prosodic features—such as pitch variation, voice quality, and timing—serve as semiotic resources for constructing these social types within a socio-cultural landscape. These prosodic elements not only interact with each other but also conspire with the body and conversation structures to convey dialogical social meanings. These meanings enable the constructed social types to mediate broader social relationships, structures, and transformations.

Outline:
- The theory of indexicality
- Stancetaking, enregisterment, and personhood
- Pitch variation as semiotic resources
- Voice quality and the body
- Timing variation and conversation structure
 
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