The dynamics of reported dialogue in narrative

Abstract

It is noted that reported dialogue may be a significant element in advancing a narrative storyline. Reported speech acts are tied to the storyline by formulas of citation the quotation formula (QF). Excerpts from two English narratives are presented as the basis for discussion. Some features that characterize the range of variation in QFs are examined. It is argued that variations in QF with regard to mention/nonmention of the speaker or addressee are "indexical of the intensity of participant interaction in reported dialogue." The indexical functions of QFs in various languages are examined, including Totanac, Kagan Kalagan, & Biblical Hebrew. 14 References. B. Annesser Murray