Formulaic sequences and common ground in Hungarian intercultural communication in the oral proficiency exam

Abstract

Assuming that the discourses produced in the 'conversation' task of the Hungarian oral proficiency exam are special instances of intercultural communication, this paper investigates discourse-segments between non-native speakers of Hungarian with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds but with a prior acquaintance with each other, produced during the ECL language exam. In a socio-cognitive approach (Kecskes 2013/2014), the study focuses on the interaction between the egocentric and cooperative features of this special type of intercultural communication, and on their relation to actual common ground. The use of formulaic sequences (Wray 2002, 2008) is also investigated in regard to the discourse process, and special emphasis is placed on the role of the interlocutor.