Navigating epistemic challenges: Self-initiated self-repair in weight loss discussions within clinical settings

Abstract

This paper focuses on the phenomenon of self-initiated self-repair in weight loss discussions within clinical settings. It shows that one of the primary functions of self-repair is to manage epistemics in talk. The study explores repair operations and techniques, shedding light on the linguistic resources employed by doctors and patients to modify knowledge claims in relation to their interactional objectives, the speaker's epistemic status, and the epistemic stance expressed by the interlocutor. Throughout the paper, we demonstrate how self-initiated self-repairs contribute to achieving epistemic balance and congruence in talk between healthcare providers and seekers, supporting the smooth delivery of unsolicited weight loss advice. Data are in British English.