The contributions of this book are multifaceted. Its theorizations of reactive tokens and recipiency are inspiring to conversation analysts. Its qualitative, context-based approach to reactive tokens provides a necessary complement to the popular quantitative approach. The explorations into the forms and functions of Mandarin reactive tokens and the factors conditioning their use contribute to Chinese conversation studies, and the similarity shown between Mandarin and English reactive tokens is also a contribution to comparative linguistics and intercultural communication studies. The highlight of the recipient’s role in conversation provides a good complement to speaker-oriented conversation analysis studies and provides insights into the interactional nature of human language.
- Liangtao Lai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, in Discourse Studies Vol. 19, No. 5 (2017),