In this paper I present two transcripts that I have taken out of a dinner conversation I had with my boyfriend. My objectives are twofold. The first is to analyze the data linguistically with methods that were introduced by conversational analysis, and the second is to interpret the findings from a pragmatic point of view, thus employing an approach that is close to interactional sociolinguistics. Therefore, the approach to discourse analysis by Gee (2005), which he called “D/discourse analysis”, is taken into account. He established the notions “discourse” as “language-in-use”, and “Discourse” with a “big D” that is the “discourse” together with non-linguistic devices in order to perform specific identities and activities. In the beginning of this paper, the terms of conversational analysis will be defined, with a concentration on the definitions given by the classical article “Systematics for the organization of turn-taking” by Sacks, Schleghoff & Jefferson, as well as the more recent and differentiated article by Ford & Thompson. The next part is devoted to the application of the theory to my data. The defined notions of conversational analysis will be applied, while the pragmatic point of view will be taken into consideration for the interpretation. Furthermore, each of the transcripts will be analyzed individually, and the discourses that they feature will be examined. That is for the first transcript the discourse of corrections, and for the second one, the narrative strategies. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Definition of Turn-taking
- Speaker changes at non-CTRP, interruption, overlap and simultaneous speech
- Conversational gaps
- Repair mechanism
- Notes on narrative strategies
- Analysis of the data
- Turn-taking
- First transcript
- Second transcript
- Summary
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes two transcripts from a dinner conversation using methods from conversational analysis and a pragmatic perspective informed by interactional sociolinguistics. The primary objective is a dual linguistic and pragmatic analysis of the conversation.
- Turn-taking mechanisms in conversation
- Analysis of conversational repair strategies
- Identification and analysis of different conversational discourses
- Application of conversational analysis frameworks to real-world data
- Pragmatic interpretation of conversational interactions
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This paper presents two transcripts from a dinner conversation between the author and her boyfriend. The analysis employs methods from conversational analysis and a pragmatic perspective, drawing on Gee's (2005) "D/discourse analysis," differentiating between "discourse" as language-in-use and "Discourse" as encompassing linguistic and non-linguistic elements to perform identities and activities. The paper begins by defining key terms from conversational analysis, focusing on the work of Sacks, Schegloff, and Jefferson (1974) and Ford and Thompson (1996). It then applies these theoretical frameworks to the data, analyzing each transcript individually and examining the discourses they feature (corrections in the first and narrative strategies in the second).
Definition of Turn-taking: This section delves into the fundamental concept of turn-taking in conversation, primarily drawing upon the seminal work of Sacks, Schegloff, and Jefferson (1974). The authors' twelve key observations about turn-taking in English conversations are outlined, highlighting the recurring patterns of speaker change, the prevalence of single-speaker turns, the handling of overlaps, and the flexibility in turn order, size, and length. The concept of transition-relevance places (TRPs) and turn-constructional units (TCUs) are introduced, along with the turn-allocation component, emphasizing the roles of speaker selection and self-selection. The section further discusses the critiques and subsequent refinements of the TRP and TCU model by other scholars, notably Ford and Thompson (1996), who introduced complex TRPs (CTRPs) and differentiated completion points into grammatical, intonational, and semantic categories. This sets the stage for a more nuanced understanding of turn-taking dynamics within the analyzed conversations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Conversational analysis, turn-taking, discourse analysis, pragmatics, interactional sociolinguistics, narrative strategies, repair mechanisms, transcripts, dinner conversation, TRP, TCU, CTRP.
FAQ: Comprehensive Language Preview - Conversational Analysis of Dinner Transcripts
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper presents a dual linguistic and pragmatic analysis of two transcripts from a dinner conversation. It focuses on turn-taking mechanisms, conversational repair strategies, and different conversational discourses using methods from conversational analysis and interactional sociolinguistics.
What theoretical frameworks are used in the analysis?
The analysis draws upon conversational analysis, primarily the work of Sacks, Schegloff, and Jefferson (1974) and Ford and Thompson (1996), and a pragmatic perspective informed by interactional sociolinguistics, including Gee's (2005) "D/discourse analysis".
What are the key concepts discussed regarding turn-taking?
The paper defines and explains turn-taking, including transition-relevance places (TRPs), turn-constructional units (TCUs), complex TRPs (CTRPs), speaker selection, self-selection, overlaps, and conversational gaps. It also discusses repair mechanisms.
What specific aspects of conversation are analyzed?
The analysis examines turn-taking mechanisms, conversational repair strategies (in the first transcript), and narrative strategies (in the second transcript) within the context of the dinner conversations.
What are the objectives of this analysis?
The primary objective is a dual linguistic and pragmatic analysis of the conversation. Specific objectives include analyzing turn-taking mechanisms, conversational repair strategies, identifying and analyzing different conversational discourses, and applying conversational analysis frameworks to real-world data, with pragmatic interpretation.
What kind of data is analyzed?
The analysis uses two transcripts from a dinner conversation between the author and her boyfriend.
What are the key findings or themes explored?
The analysis explores how turn-taking mechanisms function in natural conversation, the strategies used for conversational repair, the presence of different conversational discourses (corrections and narrative strategies), and how these aspects relate to the pragmatic context of the interaction.
What are the key terms used in the paper?
Key terms include: Conversational analysis, turn-taking, discourse analysis, pragmatics, interactional sociolinguistics, narrative strategies, repair mechanisms, transcripts, dinner conversation, TRP, TCU, CTRP.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper includes an introduction, a section defining turn-taking, an analysis of the data (with individual transcript analysis), and a summary. It also details the objectives and key themes and provides chapter summaries.
Where can I find more information on the theoretical frameworks used?
The paper references the works of Sacks, Schegloff, and Jefferson (1974); Ford and Thompson (1996); and Gee (2005) for further reading on conversational analysis, pragmatics, and discourse analysis.
- Quote paper
- Steffi Kny (Author), 2006, Linguistic and discourse analysis of a dinner-conversation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/68419
