Oh, multimodality where art thou? : Raised eyebrows in the constructional network

Kurzfassung/Abstract

The present paper explores the network of language-related knowledge about multimodal, stance-related uses of Tell me about it (TMAI) with a particular focus on the co-verbal use of raised eyebrows. Employing a k-prototype analysis, the paper shows that stance-related uses of TMAI form five multimodal clusters. Three of these will be analyzed in more detail regarding their speakers’ use of raised eyebrows. Based on these qualitative analyses, the paper argues that knowledge about TMAI and raised eyebrows is structured as a nested network of uni- and multimodal constructions and, therefore, that a broader definition of the term construction is warranted.