Rhetorical question in asymmetrical interaction of school discourse

Abstract

This paper aims to provide further insight into the role of rhetorical question in asymmetrical interaction, that is, a verbal exchange between parties of unequal social power. It starts with the assumption that, due to is formal attributes, rhetorical question is here used to gain interactional advantage over the other speaker, constrain his contribution and ultimately gain a certain amount of control of his verbal and other behaviour. As investigation was carried out on the material gathered exclusively in secondary schools, the paper also affords a closer look at the actual language used by teachers during class. In this respect, rhetorical question can be considered as a linguistic strategy used by teachers to manage student's behaviour.

Keywords

• rhetorical question
• asymmetrical interaction
• school discourse
• verbal strategy
• speech actell