Lexical suggestion in this section also includes what Kirkpatrick terms as “lexical anticipation” and “lexical correction” (Kirkpatrick, 2010a, p. 141). Asian listeners may offer a word or phrase to speakers when they are searching for or hesitating over the choice of a word. The focus of this section was on the functions of lexical suggestion: to help out other participants; to show insightful understanding and to show involvement.
To help out other participants.
In Example 1, S2, a Maldivian talks about the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. He is not sure what the proper word is and mentions other words with similar meanings: the fire and the lamp. S3, a Malaysian, provides the appropriate lexical item the torch for him and S2 accepts this word immediately and uses this word in his following sentence. In the conversation, S2 does not remain silent when he cannot produce the accurate word, but keeps offering similar words to make himself understood. S3 understands what S2 is trying to say and is ready to help. S2, by using the suggested word, indicates his acceptance rather than embarrassment when being corrected. This strategy shows a high level of cooperation and the willingness to solve communication problems.
S2: er i think er in all opening ceremonies er lighting the fire or the lamp er= S3: <1> the torch </1>
S2: <1> thi- the torch </1> is the= S1: =yeah
S2: is the most er: anticipated part of the opening ceremony
In a similar example below, S2, a Thai speaker, helps S1, a Chinese speaker, by providing the proper term of the party pro Thai when S1 is hesitating and not sure about the term. S1 continues to use the suggested term in his next sentence.
5.2.1-2 (from File 12: Sino-Thai ties)
S1: … and society in thailand is seriously divided between you know different parties that the the thai r- the ro- <@> thai party </@> =
S2: =pro thai
S1: and the pro thai the ruling party (1)
In Example 3, when S2, a Maldivian, seems to hesitate to complete the phrase from
the top to the bottom by repeating to the, S1, a Chinese speaker, provides the word bottom
right after S2’s repetition and S2 accepts the word by saying bottom yes. S1’s quick response indicates his willingness to help and be involved in the conversation. Similar to Example 1, S2 does not seem upset about forgetting this common set phrase and accepts the word by saying yes.
5.2.1-3 (from File 1: Beijing Olympic Games)
S2: er: since beijing was awarded the erm (.) olympics (.) er: (.) i think er (.) we must congratulate er everybody involved you know (.) er: from the top to the to the= S1: =bottom=
To show insightful understanding.
There are examples of lexical anticipation based on the deeper meanings and intentions of the speakers. The anticipation and suggestion of proper words or expressions indicate the listeners’ insightful understanding. In Example 4, S2, a Korean, anticipates what S3, a Chinese speaker wants to say and provides the phrase political and idealist. S3 agrees with S2’s suggestion and echoes political, even though the nouns politics and
ideals would probably be better here in terms of Standard English.
5.2.1-4 (from File 11: DPRK’s brinkmanship tests Obama’s patience)
S3: … first of all (.) deeply (.) mutual distrust between the two (.) and the secondly (.) between (.) er: the two koreas you have a totally totally different er =
S2: =political and <4> idealist </4>
S3: <4> political </4> you know even for one side
In Example 5, S2, a Japanese speaker talks about the relationship between China and Japan and is searching for a proper expression by repeating thinking. S1, a Chinese, understands what S2 is trying to say and suggests a phrase age of globalization which fits the context. S2 accepts this by saying definitely. This kind of lexical anticipation indicates that the listener understands the speaker’s intention and the context or background information they are referring to. It also shows the participants in a conversation are “communicating successfully and are on the same wave length” (Kirkpatrick, 2010a, p. 127).
5.2.1-5 (from File 14: Prospects for China-Japan relations)
S2: …we have o- o- o we have to overcome (.) tho:se (.) things left over by the previous centuries because human being must develop when we're thinking (.) and (.) way of thinking
S2: definitely i think it's er a driving force (.) to (.) re- er realize what (.) should be the best for us
To show involvement.
In example 6, S2, a Maldivian, talks about a news report, saying it (the Beijing Olympic Games) will be a big challenge. He hesitates a bit when saying London and S1, the Chinese speaker, quickly responds, laughing, by offering the word Olympic. However, this word is not exactly what S2 wants. Therefore, S2 ignores S1’s suggestion and continues to say twenty twelve organizers. S1 realizes what S2 is trying to say and says
yeah organizers to show his agreement. In the example, S2 may not be searching for a
word by uttering er as he uses er frequently during his utterance. This example shows how Asian ELF users actively participate in the conversation without feeling embarrassed when the suggested word is ignored.
5.2.1-6 (from File 1: Beijing Olympic Games)
S2: …in fact er (.) i read a recent report er written by er (.) er a journalist for the china daily (.) erm sort of (.) anticipating what is going to happen in twenty twelve as compared to this er according to her it will be a big challenge er for the london er:
S1: <@> olympic- </@> S2: twenty twelve organizers S1: yeah <8> organizers </8>
S2: <8> to match </8> up to er to the (.) to the standard here (.) er
In Example 7, S1, a Chinese speaker, understands what S7, a Chinese-American is trying to say and interrupts his speech by saying practicing as there are no signs here showing S7 is searching for a word. S7 agrees by saying yeah and continues to use his own word perfecting to complete his sentence. In this example, the “interruption” or turn
taking of S1 shows his active involvement and understanding in this conversation.
5.2.1-7 (from File 16: China's next pop stars)
S7: it is like you know a lot of times i think if if you are at a circus you know and i- if you watch all the activities going on you see a clown you know circling all the ball on the big ball you know i don't know what he's doing out there but you know a lot of people actually tend to (.) neglect that he actually spends a lot of time=
S1: =practicing
S7: yeah per- perfecting hi- his craft
Active interaction by word suggestions is also found in Example 8. S1, a Chinese speaker, interrupts S2, an American, by saying yes breaking even to complete S2’s sentence. Then S2 repeats breaking even and further explains as or profitable in her following sentence. Here lexical suggestions and interruptions are ways to be actively involved in the conversation.
5.2.1-8 (from File 17: Fashion in China)
S2: <7> well it was you know interesting because she said double </7> digits <8> growth </8> but she never said
S1: <8> yes </8> breaking even
S2: it’s breaking even or profitable <9> but growth is good anyway </9>
In summary, Asian ELF speakers are active and cooperative in their interactions by suggesting and anticipating lexis and expressions to help other participants who seem to be searching for the “proper” words. Lexical suggestion is also a strategy used by ELF speakers to show their involvement and understanding in interactions.