Transcribing Parenthetical Remarks
When a parenthetical remark interferes with the rest of the utterance, enclose that part of the utterance in double parentheses. For example,
C The boy ((I can/'t remember his name)) left the house.
C Then the ((what/'s that call/ed)) < > gopher bit him on the nose.
E <gopher>.
These parenthetical remarks, like mazes, interfere with the rest of the utterance. Parenthetical remarks, however, should not be confused with mazes since mazes, unlike parenthetical remarks, may be an indication of formulation difficulties. |
Analyzing Parenthetical Remarks
Unless parenthetical remarks occur frequently within a language sample, they may not be of much analytical interest. Parenthetical remarks do have an impact, however, on language measures such as the "mean length of utterance" and "number of different words". The "main body" of the utterance contains the words used to calculate these measures. By default, the main body of the utterance excludes maze words and parenthetical remarks. Maze words are always excluded from the main body of the utterance but SALT gives you the option of whether or not to include parenthetical remarks. |
