Like finding that one tree in a forest: An analysis of narrative stance
Much of the current sociolinguistic work on stance (Holmes-Elliott/Levon 2017, Jaffe 2009, Kiesling 2009) is focused on specific variables. In contrast, the present study takes a broad, function-informed approach in an analysis of stance-taking behavior.
We code a re-narration task completed by 79 participants for instances of stance-marking and use these markers in a k-means cluster analysis. Of the resulting two clusters, one cluster is highly heterogeneous in members, while the other includes mainly young white speakers. The stance-marking repertoire of these individuals relies heavily on the use of (quotative) like.
Based on the data, we cannot conclude a change in apparent time, but our detailed analysis found a group of innovators that revises their interpretation of a socially meaningful task. On the level of social function, we argue that their linguistic stance-taking patterns offer a more individualistic approach to storytelling, allowing speakers to shift focus from interpersonal to affective positioning.
