Problems With The Authors' Analysis Of Paralinguistic Engagement

Ngo, Hood, Martin, Painter, Smith & Zappavigna (2022: 143, 144-5):

The primary opposing features are [monogloss] in which other voices are ignored, and [heterogloss] in which other voices are implicitly or explicitly allowed into the discourse. If [heterogloss] is selected, the opposing features are [heterogloss: expansion], allowing space for other voices, or [heterogloss: contraction], closing down space for other voices. …

Instances of gesture and posture realising PARALINGUISTIC ENGAGEMENT options are shown in (22).

 

Blogger Comments:

[1] To be clear, the wording Be strong Coraline is [monogloss], not [heterogloss], because it does not allow other voices into the discourse. So, in this instance, the compressed face actually expresses [monogloss], not heterogloss: contraction], contradicting the authors' system.

[2] To be clear, the wordings

Dad I'm not five anymore

Don't believe me

I didn't break it

are all [heterogloss: contraction], not [heterogloss: expansion], because they all close down the space for other voices. So, in these instances, the

prone head; closed body
open face; decentred head
supine head and hands; open body

all express [heterogloss: contraction], not [heterogloss: expansion], contradicting the authors' system.