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Article published In:
Pragmatics and Society
Vol. 8:2 (2017) ► pp.254–280

Initiating side-sequenced vocabulary lessons

Asymmetry of linguistic knowledge and opportunities for learning in conversation

| Rikkyo University

This paper uses conversation analysis to describe the sequence in which participants in ordinary conversations are sidetracked from the current topic to engage in the repair of a word and display their orientation to asymmetrical linguistic knowledge between them. The participants frame themselves as being in a more knowledgeable and a less knowledgeable position, and this asymmetry provides an opportunity for learning. The analysis of audio recordings of 12 naturally occurring conversations between first and second language users of English reveals that such side-sequenced vocabulary lessons are initiated using at least three methods: partial questioning repeats, explicitly asking the meaning of the word that was just used, and other-directed word searches. The study captures moments in which participants’ language expert and novice identities temporarily become relevant. It also demonstrates how participants alter their relative epistemic positions with each other and redefine the asymmetrical relationships moment by moment in interaction.

Keywords: conversation analysis, epistemics, expert and novice identities, first and second language users, learning, repair, side sequence, word search
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Repair, orientation to categories, and learning
  • 3.Data and method
  • 4. Three methods of initiating side-sequenced vocabulary lessons
    • 4.1Partial questioning repeats
    • 4.2Explicitly asking the meaning of the word just used
    • 4.3Other-directed word searches
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 10 August 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ps.8.2.05kot
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