Indexing pragmatic functions of kiss-teeth through embodiment and viewpoint construction

Abstract Everyday discourse involves interpreting composite utterances like speech-with-gesture composites. Taking a multimodal and discourse-pragmatic perspective, this single-case study explores the complexity of meaning-making by considering the interweaving of gesture-speech composites and discursive strategies in talk-in-interaction. Specifically, the paper examines various pragmatic functions of kiss-teeth (i.e., a conventionalised sound gesture) when combining it with other multimodal resources. The data for this study was derived from an interview conducted during ethnographic fieldwork in Suriname in 2022. The results show that kiss-teeth has several discourse-pragmatic functions in various contexts, including (1) conveying a reprimand, (2) participating in flirtatious teasing and (3) engaging in gossip. While the research suggests that the meaning of kiss-teeth is closely tied to various multimodal resources, the study also considers the participant’s uses of viewpoint constructions for perspective-taking in demonstrations of kiss-teeth as diverse social actions. The analysis illustrates that the participant indexes distinct gesture functions through viewpoint constructions which rely on descriptions, depictions, and composite utterances. By analysing viewpoint construction, the study does not only aim to scrutinise the gesture’s meanings but also how kiss-teeth contributes to the interaction as a whole. Ultimately, the findings point to the importance of gesture-speech composites and narrative discourse strategies in talk-in-interaction.