Detecting Verbal Cues of True and False Reported Speech

Abstract

This study examines pragma-linguistic cues and modal expressions of (un)true reported speech after confirmation of their veracity by the reporter in the end of conversations. From an inspection of 31 conversations between friends which contained RS, we seek to align discursive features according to truth-value of utterances. In addition, surrounding elements (shielding/evaluative parts) will be analyzed to show implications of RS according to speaker and his/her subjective assessment about reported statement. Article attempts to identify prominent verbal cues of true/false reports and their parts, according to pragmatic function. Respondents were instructed to be persuasive in both cases and use constructions they apply in real life when they’re (in)sincere while transmitting others’ statements. Findings show that true RS contain more uncertain epistemic modals on peripheral parts, don’t insist on compelling their evaluations to interlocutor, while personal assessment is main part on liar’s mind, because there is expressed his/her intent for lying.