Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Echo Question

Definition: 

An echo question is a question that

  • occurs in the turn after a repairable utterance, and
  • repeats the portion felt by the speaker to need repair.
Examples: 

(English)

B’s question in the following exchange is an echo question:

  • A: I need a new bolt for my oil filter.
  • B: A BOLT?
  • A: I mean for my oil pan.
    •
    See Also: 
    Question
    Turn
    Utterance
    Speaker
    Source: 
    Hartmann and Stork 1972
    74

    This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library. Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003.

    LinguaLinks Ordering Information

    Glossary Hierarchy

  • Next Turn Repair Initiator
  • Echo Question