Transcription Conventions
Each line of transcription contains a single intonation unit.
. | Period shows falling tone in the preceding element. |
? | Question mark shows rising tone in the preceding element. |
, | Comma indicates a continuing intonation, drawing out thepreceding element. |
@ | An “at” symbol shows laughter |
Stress | Italics or caps show heavy stress |
wh- what | A single dash indicates a cutoff with a glottal stop |
“Sir” | Double quotes mark speech set off by a shift in the speaker’s voice |
[and then] | Square brackets on successive lines mark overlapping talk |
but= | Equals signs on successive lines shows latching between turns |
(2.0) | Numbers in parentheses indicate timed pauses |
<low pitch> | Carrot brackets enclose editorial comments |
/?/ | Slashes enclosing a question mark refl ect untranscribable elements |