Language in Time: The Rhythm and Tempo of Spoken Interaction

Rhythm is one of the most pervasive aspects of the human condition; it is in the world around us and in the world within us, in our bodies and our minds, our living and our thinking. This book argues that human language, quite predictably, is deeply rhythmic as well. In addition, we try to show that the rhythm of verbal interaction is synchronized between co-participants and, at the same time, achieved by co-participants. That is, the degree and kind of rhythmicity in everyday language may vary: Interactional rhythms may be shared or idiosyncratic, they may emerge or disintegrate, become more or less distinct. Finally, and most important, we argue that interactants' use of rhythmic structures is an important means for making interaction work.