Getting Acquainted in Conversation
A study of initial interactions
What makes a ‘getting acquainted’ a recognizable conversational activity, and how are interpersonal relationships established in a first conversation? This book presents a theoretical framework for the study of relationship management in conversation and an empirical study of a corpus of initial interactions. It provides detailed descriptions of the sequential resources unacquainted interlocutors use in order to:
– generate self-presentation
– introduce topics
– establish common contextual resources
It is argued that these sequential patterns embody conventionalized procedures for establishing an interpersonal relationship involving some degree of:
– solidarity (mutual rights and obligations)
– familiarity (mutual knowledge of personal background)
– mutual affect (emotional commitment)
The sequential analysis is based on a conversation analytic approach, while the interpretive framework consists of pragmatic theories of politeness, conversational style and common ground.
– generate self-presentation
– introduce topics
– establish common contextual resources
It is argued that these sequential patterns embody conventionalized procedures for establishing an interpersonal relationship involving some degree of:
– solidarity (mutual rights and obligations)
– familiarity (mutual knowledge of personal background)
– mutual affect (emotional commitment)
The sequential analysis is based on a conversation analytic approach, while the interpretive framework consists of pragmatic theories of politeness, conversational style and common ground.
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series, 64] 2000. x, 383 pp.
Publishing status: Available
Published online on 21 October 2008
Published online on 21 October 2008
© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Table of Contents
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Acknowledgements | p. vii
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Transcription symbols | p. ix
-
1. Introduction | p. 1
-
2. The establishment of interpersonal relations in conversation | p. 7
-
3. Methods for analyzing conversation | p. 63
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4. The self-presentational sequence | p. 91
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5. Topic introduction | p. 163
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6. Side sequences and the establishment of common ground | p. 257
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7. Routine, variation, and success in first conversations | p. 317
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8. Conclusion | p. 333
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Appendices | p. 339
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Notes | p. 357
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Subject Index | p. 377
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Author Index | p. 381
“Svennevig unquestionably makes many interesting observations in this volume, which fits nicely in the Pragmatics and Beyond series.”
Alan S. Kaye, California State University, Fullerton in Multilingua 22, 2003
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Subjects
Main BIC Subject
CF: Linguistics
Main BISAC Subject
LAN009000: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General