Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Embedded Repair

Definition: 

An embedded repair is an other-initiated repair that is performed by the addressee of the questioned utterance by the substitution of the repairing item in the addressee’s own utterance.

Discussion: 

An embedded repair may be a preferred form of repair because it avoids questioning the competence of the speaker.

Examples: 

(English)

  • In the following exchange, the substitution by B of pan for the erroneous choice filter is an embedded repair:
    • A: I need a new bolt for my oil filter.
    • B: What size bolt does your pan take?
    • A: Seventeen millimeter.