The present article discusses the different realisations of interjections
which fulfill the feedback function in English and Spanish conversations.
The study, which follows previous research on the contrastive
analysis of discourse functions in English and Spanish (Romero
Trillo, 1994a & b, 1997), will establish the main parameters of use of
these elements in both languages. The methodology will follow
Halliday’s notion of “continuative themes,” which is expanded via the
concept of “re-grammaticalization” in order to capture the multifunctional
value of these elements, and as a means to explain the notion of
“discourse appropriacy” (Romero Trillo & Espigares Pinilla, forthcoming).
The study will conclude by showing the differences in the use of
interjections in both languages, as well as suggesting some pedagogical
implications for future research.
