Aspects of communicative uncertainty in the language of young East Germans during the Wende

In this paper I shall address the issue of communication with respect to potential barriers and miscommunication, by illustrating how communicative uncertainty, as realised through a range of hedging strategies, may mark the speech of young East Germans. Special attention will be paid to the use of certain hedging constructions which may be explained not so much in terms of politeness, but more as an attempt to hide communicative uncertainty. Cursory reference will also be made to face saving strategies.