CONVERSATIONAL ANALYSIS 1: GENERAL
 

How language is used in conversation for social interaction. How this varies from language to language and culture to culture.

Grice's Maxims:

Maxim Explanation Example
Quantity Give just enough information Do you have any pets?
Quality Don't say what is false or something for which you don't have evidence Is Bill here?
Relevance Say things related to the current topic When do you graduate?
Manner Be orderly and clear Ted died and was hit by lightning

What principle is (potentially) being violated in the following:

  1. Who's playing BYU? I've got so much homework this weekend.
  2. Where's Zonko? There are lots of things that I like about hiking up in Provo Canyon -- especially in the springtime or fall. You know in the summer, I'd just rather be in doors. Of course, just sitting around watching TV -- even if it is educational (the best channel is the History Channel) is a waste of time. Anyway, Zonko is up by Bridal Veil Falls.
  3. Do you like this dress? Yeah, it looks great!
  4. Turn left at the railroad. To get, there, take Main St. The party is at Sue's house.
  5. Are you done with your homework? Is the pope Mormon?
  6. Is Bertha back yet? The light is on in her room.
  7. This is the best spaghetti in the world!
  8. Let's get together soon! Sounds great!

Analyzing a conversation:

  1. What is the overall organization of the conversation?

  2. How does each person know when to start talking?

  3. When two (or more) people start talking at the same time, how do they decide who gets the turn?

  4. How do speakers display understanding of the last speaker's turn?

  5. How do people "hold the floor" and how do they signal this to the listener(s)?

  6. How do speakers manage agreement and disagreement?

  7. How do speakers move from one topic to another?

  8. How do speakers "repair" their own utterances or those of someone else?

  9. How do speakers bring a conversation to a close?

  10. What role do non-lexical (or quasi-lexical) items like uhm, mm hm, etc play in the conversation?

  11. How are pauses interpreted in conversation?

  12. What role does non-verbal communication play in the conversation?

Conversations:

  1. Video-taped in class

    1. Guy asks out a girl. She really wants to go, but already has a date.

    2. Trying to return a defective MP3 player after 30-day return period

  2. Debate from Crossfire