Repair-initiating particles and um-s in Estonian spontaneous speech

Particles and um-s used in spontaneous Estonian speech as initiators of different types of repair are analysed. Our model and typology of repair based on conversation analysis is introduced. Three main types of repair and particles used to initiate those are described: prepositioned self-initiated selfrepair, postpositioned self-initiated self-repair (addition, substitution, insertion and abandon), and other-initiated selfrepair (reformulation, clarification and misunderstanding). In conclusion 6 groups of particles are brougth out by the role they play in the initiation of the repair sequence. Data come from Corpus of Spoken Estonian of the University of Tartu, which contains everyday and institutional speech, telephone and face-to-face conversations.