Chapter 4. Responses to polar questions in Polish

Abstract

Using data from naturally occuring Polish conversations this chapter demonstrates how speakers of Polish answer polar questions. It offers a detailed conversation analytic examination of two response formats, particularly in their unexpanded form: (i) particle responses, which are used for confirming the terms and the action agenda of the question and which display the participants’ understanding of the status of the question as subsidiary to a larger course of action and (ii) repetitional responses, which are understood to do more than simple confirmation (e.g., to fullfil requests). By identifying the interactional circumstances for the choice of a particular format of a response, the chapter highlights the importance of social action as key to building and understanding polar question-answer sequences in Polish.