Although we converse almost every day, we never have exactly the
same conversation twice. Nevertheless, certain parts of
conversations occur in forms which are very alike. They seem to be
constructed according to sets of rules. These rules were examined in
the 1970’s for the first time.
The mechanisms which govern our conversations are especially
observable in telephone conversations. But since the 1970’s, new
technologies have come up and society changed.
The aim of this paper is to examine the mechanisms of telephone
conversation and how the systems working in telephone conversations
have changed since the establishment of the mobile telephone.
For this, the focus on Conversation Analysis as research methodology
is explained, before coming to the basic features of every
conversation. Following this, telephone conversations are examined
according to their structure of opening, topic-talk and closing.
Finally, the changes of this structure for mobile telephone
conversations are pointed out.
The basis for the observations on mobile telephone conversation is a
survey carried out among 20 Canadian citizens and material provided
by the participants of the survey. Two different main methodologies exist for analysing and examining
conversation – conversation in general, or telephone conversation in
special – from a linguistic perspective: Conversation Analysis and
Discourse Analysis. To understand my decision to focus on the
discipline of Conversation Analysis, I will shortly point out the
main differences and parallels of these methodologies.
Of course, both disciplines examine conversation. But the methods
used for this, the thereby resulting findings and the main
understanding of conversation differ immensely. A common aim of Conversation Analysis and Discourse Analysis is to
be able to give “an account of how coherence and sequential
organization is produced and understood” (Levinson 1983: 286).
Discourse Analysis uses primitive and basic concepts of linguistics
for this. It attempts to extend the rules applying to sentences over
the boundaries of sentences. The main method of the discipline is
the isolation of sets of units of discourse, followed by a
formulation of rules according to these units and finally the
division of units into well-formed and ill-formed sequences. [...]
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. TELEPHONE CONVERSATION FROM A CONVERSATION ANALYSIS PERSPECTIVE
1. CONVERSATIONAL BASICS
1.1. Conversation Analysis versus Discourse Analysis
1.2 Conversation
1.2.1 Definition of Conversation
1.2.2 Turn-taking
1.2.3 Adjacency Pairs
1.2.4 Preference Organization
1.2.5 Problems in Conversations
2. TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
2.1. Basics
2.2 Openings
2.2.1 Summons-Answer
2.2.2 Identification and Recognition
2.2.4 Opening Structure
2.3 Topic talk
2.4 Closings
2.4.1 Terminal Exchange and Pre-closing
2.4.2 Closing Components and Re-opening
2.4.3 Special Closings
3. MOBILE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
3.1 Basics
3.2 Openings
3.3 Topic-talk
3.4 Closings
III. CONCLUSION
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This academic paper aims to examine the fundamental mechanisms of telephone conversations through the methodology of Conversation Analysis and evaluate how these systems have been transformed by the introduction and widespread use of mobile telephones.
- Application of Conversation Analysis as a rigorous linguistic research methodology.
- Analysis of conversational structures including openings, topic-talk, and closing sequences.
- Investigation into the impact of mobile technology on interactional habits, specifically availability and perpetual contact.
- Empirical comparison between traditional landline and mobile telephone communication patterns.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1. Conversation Analysis versus Discourse Analysis
Two different main methodologies exist for analysing and examining conversation – conversation in general, or telephone conversation in special – from a linguistic perspective: Conversation Analysis and Discourse Analysis. To understand my decision to focus on the discipline of Conversation Analysis, I will shortly point out the main differences and parallels of these methodologies.
Of course, both disciplines examine conversation. But the methods used for this, the thereby resulting findings and the main understanding of conversation differ immensely.
A common aim of Conversation Analysis and Discourse Analysis is to be able to give “an account of how coherence and sequential organization is produced and understood” (Levinson 1983: 286).
Summary of Chapters
I. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the scope of the study, defining conversation as a rule-governed activity and establishing the research goal of comparing landline and mobile communication mechanisms.
II. TELEPHONE CONVERSATION FROM A CONVERSATION ANALYSIS PERSPECTIVE: Provides the theoretical foundation by detailing Conversation Analysis, turn-taking, adjacency pairs, and the specific structures of telephone interaction, including openings, topic-talk, and closings.
1. CONVERSATIONAL BASICS: Explores fundamental linguistic concepts such as turn-taking systems, adjacency pairs, and preference organization that govern general human interaction.
2. TELEPHONE CONVERSATION: Details the specific organizational requirements of landline communication, focusing on how summons-answer sequences and identification-recognition are managed in the absence of visual cues.
3. MOBILE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION: Examines how mobile technology, particularly number identification and portability, alters established conversational norms, leading to more focused and monotopical communication.
III. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings, noting that while telephone communication relies on precise structural management, mobile technology has introduced new efficiency-driven dynamics into these interactions.
Keywords
Conversation Analysis, Discourse Analysis, Telephone Conversation, Turn-taking, Adjacency Pairs, Preference Organization, Mobile Telephone, Summons-Answer, Identification, Recognition, Topical Coherence, Closing Sequences, Monotopical, Communication Technology, Interactional Product
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the linguistic analysis of telephone conversations, specifically examining how the structure of these interactions is maintained and how it changes when transitioning from landline to mobile platforms.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The work covers conversational basics, the structure of openings, the management of topic-talk, and the strategies for closing conversations, with a strong emphasis on Conversation Analysis as the primary methodology.
What is the main goal of the paper?
The primary goal is to identify the mechanisms that govern telephone interaction and to determine how mobile telephony—with features like caller ID and increased portability—has transformed these structures.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes Conversation Analysis (CA), an empirical approach that avoids premature theory construction by analyzing natural occurring conversations and sequential organization.
What is analyzed in the main body?
The main body investigates the transition from basic conversational rules to specific telephone protocols, including identification sequences, the management of topical coherence, and the special techniques used to end calls.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Conversation Analysis, turn-taking, adjacency pairs, mobile telephone communication, and interactional sequence organization.
How does the mobile telephone change the opening of a conversation?
Mobile phones, through number identification, provide the called party with caller information before the call is answered, which often leads to the omission of redundant identification sequences and shorter openings.
Why are mobile telephone conversations typically shorter?
Mobile conversations tend to be "monotopical" and highly focused, often due to the perceived costs, portability, and the ability to maintain "perpetual contact," which reduces the pressure for lengthy social closings.
- Quote paper
- Eva Kiss (Author), 2003, Telephone Conversations From A Conversation Analysis Perspective, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/30746
