How We Tell It and How They Tell It to Us. A First Qualitative Approach to the Study of Direct Quotation in the Speech of Granada.

This article examines the use of direct speech in semi-structured sociolinguistic interviews from the oral Spanish corpus of Granada, Spain, aiming to qualitatively describe why speakers employ direct quotations in their narratives. Analyzing interviews with two informants, the study identifies key features such as the introductory framework (commonly using the verb decir, "to say"), attribution of quotes (self-citation and other-citation), and the roles of narrator and narratee, highlighting how direct speech creates a multidialogical space that intensifies narrative authenticity and engages listeners. The findings show that direct quotations predominantly appear in discussions of the speakers’ intimate spheres—work, childhood, and personal relationships—serving to reconstruct lived experiences and social interactions. This preliminary qualitative research aligns with patterns found in other Spanish-speaking regions and suggests further quantitative study with larger samples to deepen understanding of direct speech functions in oral narratives.