Marking action accomplishment with non‑lexical vocalizations

This paper analyzes how non-lexical vocalizations, understood as sounds and syllables without a coded lexical

meaning, may be used to mark the accomplishment of an ongoing bodily action under scrutiny. In particular, a bipartite

instructional format used in dance instruction in Argentine Spanish is considered. The first part of the format presents a verbal

description of an embodied action (e.g. the leg goes first). The second part consists of a non-lexical

vocalization (e.g. TAC) targeted to be produced in synchrony with an actual performance of the previously

described action. Thus, the action description projects a bodily performance that is (expected to be) temporally coordinated with

the vocalization. Depending on the instructional context, the bodily action is carried out by different participants. Whereas in

‘demonstrations’ the instructors perform the bodily action themselves, when used as a ‘local action directive’ the students are

expected to perform it. The analysis will address differences in the multimodal realization of the format as well as specific

functions in these two contexts. The general function of the vocalization — to signal the accomplishment of a currently focused

action — will be argued to present a case of marking ‘aspectuality’ under the conditions of embodied interaction.