Conversation analysis

Definition

Conversation analysis is a qualitative research method focused on the study of social interactions in spoken or written dialogue. It aims to understand how people communicate and manage conversations, examining elements such as turn-taking, pauses, and repairs to reveal underlying social norms and structures that guide interactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Conversation analysis originated in the 1960s, primarily through the work of sociologists such as Harvey Sacks, Emanuel Schegloff, and Gail Jefferson.
2. This method emphasizes the details of talk-in-interaction, analyzing naturally occurring conversations rather than scripted dialogues or surveys.
3. Researchers in conversation analysis focus on features like intonation, pauses, and overlaps to understand how meaning is constructed in real-time interactions.
4. It reveals how participants collaboratively create understanding and manage the flow of conversation, often using implicit social rules.
5. One key aspect is 'repair,' which refers to how speakers address misunderstandings or breakdowns in communication during conversations.

Review Questions

• How does conversation analysis differ from other research methods that study language use?
  • Conversation analysis differs from other methods like discourse analysis by focusing specifically on the natural flow of conversation and the social interaction it involves. While discourse analysis may consider broader themes and contexts, conversation analysis zeroes in on minute details of talk-in-interaction. This includes studying turn-taking patterns, pauses, and how speakers handle misunderstandings. The aim is to uncover how meaning is produced collaboratively within social settings.
• Discuss the significance of turn-taking in conversation analysis and its impact on communication dynamics.
  • Turn-taking is a central concept in conversation analysis that highlights how speakers manage their roles in dialogue. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the rhythm and flow of conversation, allowing participants to engage meaningfully without interruptions or overlaps that might lead to confusion. The study of turn-taking reveals underlying social norms about who speaks when and how this affects power dynamics between individuals. By understanding these patterns, researchers can gain insight into the social fabric of communication.
• Evaluate the contributions of conversation analysis to our understanding of social interaction and communication strategies in diverse settings.
  • Conversation analysis significantly enhances our understanding of social interaction by providing a framework to examine how language operates within various contexts. It allows researchers to identify specific communication strategies employed by individuals in diverse settings, whether formal or informal. By analyzing real conversations, we can better understand how people navigate complex social situations, build relationships, and manage conflicts. This approach not only contributes to linguistics but also intersects with fields like sociology and psychology by shedding light on human behavior and social norms.

Related terms

Turn-taking: The way speakers in a conversation alternate speaking roles, which is a fundamental aspect of conversation structure.

Discourse analysis: A broader method that analyzes written, spoken, or signed language to understand its social contexts and meanings.

Interactional sociolinguistics: The study of how language use varies in different social contexts and the implications this has for identity and power dynamics in conversation.