SILGLOBALGlossary of
Linguistic Terms

Glossary term E

Echo Question

Definition

An echo question is a question that

  • occurs in the turn after a repairable utterance, and
  • repeats the portion felt by the speaker to need repair.

Examples

(English)

B’s question in the following exchange is an echo question:

  • A: I need a new bolt for my oil filter.
  • B: A BOLT?
  • A: I mean for my oil pan.

    • See also

    Question Turn Utterance Speaker

    Sources 1

    1. Hartmann and Stork 1972, 74
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