176 A Grammar of Spoken English Discourse
a sense of unity between the interlocutors. The projection of unity which
serves to distinguish us from them proves to be central to the achievement of
the ultimate telling realized by Text 1. Thus, the hearer is advised to actively
note the signifi cance of our thoughts and prayers and to relate it to the target
state achieved after the production of example (22).
Example (23) illustrates an instance where the increment fi nal termination
choice is mid which signals that Jt expects concurrence with the proposition
expressed within the increment; the speaker does not invite active hearer
intervention. He does not invite his hearers to exercise any independent
judgement, but instead signals an expectation of passivity. Within (23),
however, there is a high termination in increment medial position.
(23) and IF there s any MIstake that s Ever \MADE //
c c N V d N W+ V a V’
in these \CIRcumstances //P d N
it s as if PEOple are sur\↑PRISED // that it s
N V a c d° N V E W+ N VTOUGH... to \FIGHT // [T2-Jt-38]
e... V’ Ø #
Prior to example (23) Jt has projected a context where the initial state
includes speaker/hearer convergence of the existential danger posed by
terrorism and the fact that democracy is inimical to terrorism. He expands
the state of convergence by producing an increment which reaches a target
state he projects as non-controversial. In the second tone unit he asks the
hearers to actively consider the proposition that it’s as if people are surprised.
However, as he has not reached target state the hearers are not yet in a posi-
tion to respond to his invitation. The increment non-fi nal high termination
signals that the hearers are to make a mental note of the fact that it’s as
if people are surprised is information crucial to the subsequent achievement
of target state. By asking the hearers to give active consideration to the
proposition that it’s as if people are surprised Jt appears to attempt to reinforce
in the hearers’ minds the need for all of us to fully realize the danger of
the threat faced.
Example (20), reprinted as (24), illustrates how non-fi nal high termination,
located within an increment with fi nal high termination, adds communic-
ative value.