Chapter 08 Conversation Analysis

Group members:

Student A: Yang jiayi 11534874

Student B:Zhang Yuya 11537101

Student C:Wang Jiaqi 11537022

Student D: Han Yitong 11535488

Student E: Huang Xi 11533715

8.1 conversation analysis

8.2 turn taking

8.3 attributable silence

8.4The repairs of conversation

8.5 Dialogue sequence

8.6 transcription conversation

8.7 conclusion

8.1.1What is CA?

Conversation analysis (CA) is an approach to the study of social interaction that empirically investigates the mechanisms by which humans achieve mutual understanding. It focuses on both verbal and non-verbal conduct, especially in situations of everyday life. Conversation Analysis (CA): A methodological approach that examines the detailed organization of social interaction, particularly focusing on how participants manage turns (Heritage, 1984; Maynard & Clayman, 1991; Gill & Clayman, 2000).

It focuses on both verbal and non-verbal conduct, especially in situations of everyday life. CA originated as a sociological method, but has since spread to other fields. CA began with a focus on casual conversation, but its methods were subsequently adapted to embrace more task- and institution-centered interactions, such as those occurring in doctors' offices, courts, law enforcement, helplines, educational settings, and the mass media, and focus on multimodal and nonverbal activity in interaction, including gaze, body movement and gesture.

Definition: Conversation analysis is the study of how people talk to each other in everyday conversations. It looks at the rules and patterns that help conversations flow smoothly.

Figure 8.1Create an image of a Caucasian journalist and South Asian interviewee having a communicative discussion in a professional newsroom setting, both fully clothed, sitting across a table festooned with microphones, notepads, and writing instruments. Both individuals are engaged actively in the conversation, demonstrating respect and professionalism.（image from：https://chatgpt.eduhk.hk/apps/)

8.1.2Development of conversation analysis

Conversation Analysis (CA) is a branch of sociolinguistics and discourse analysis that focuses on the structure and organization of naturally occurring talk-in-interaction. It was developed in the late 60s and early 70s, primarily by Harvey Sacks, Emanuel Schegloff, and Gail Jefferson, who are often referred to as the founders of CA.

Early Development (Late 960s - Early 370s):The origins of CA can be traced back to the work of sociologist Harvey Sacks, who began to analyze recordings of telephone conversations, therapy sessions, and other interactions. Sacks, along with his colleagues, Schegloff and Jefferson, started to systematically examine how people manage their turns at talk, how they start and end conversations, and how they achieve mutual understanding through talk.Today, CA continues to evolve, with ongoing debates about its theoretical underpinnings, its relationship to other approaches to the study of language and communication, and its applications to real-world problems.

https://chatgpt.eduhk.hk/apps/

8.1.3Domains of research within conversation analysis

Turn-taking,

Repair,

Action formation,

Action sequencing

8.1.4.1TURN-TAKING

How do participants determine when it is their turn to speak, or their turn to listen?

"Turn-taking in conversation is locally managed, party-administered, interactionally controlled'"

8.1.4.2REPAIR

How do participants in conversation solve problems that arise in the interaction and how do they resume whatever activity they were engaged before the trouble?

8.1.4.3ACTION FORMATION

The way in which speakers produce, and recipients understand, turns so as constitute them as actions by which they can achieve their interactional goals.

8.1.4.4ACTION SEQUENCING

The way these actions are organized into sequences that create a structure of the interaction construct an architecture of intersubjectivity— a basis for mutual understanding in conversation.

https://imgcdn.stablediffusionweb.com/2024/11/13/cab19802-68ee-48c2-a716-0a4abf63f73f.jpg

An Introduction to Conversation Analysis: : Anthony J. Liddicoat: Bloomsbury Academic

8.1.5Conversation Analysis (CA) has several practical applications across various fields.

Here are some highlighted practical applications:

Communication Skills Training: CA can be used to improve interpersonal communication skills. By analyzing conversations, individuals can learn how to better manage turn-taking, respond appropriately to questions, and handle misunderstandings.

Therapeutic Settings: In psychotherapy and counseling, CA can help therapists understand client interactions and improve their responses. It can also be used to analyze the dynamics of therapeutic conversations, enhancing the effectiveness of treatment.

Education: Educators can apply CA to improve classroom interactions. By understanding how students and teachers communicate, educators can foster a more engaging and inclusive learning environment.

Customer Service: Businesses can use CA to analyze customer interactions, helping to train staff on effective communication strategies. This can lead to improved customer satisfaction and better handling of complaints.

Healthcare: In medical settings, CA can be applied to doctor-patient interactions. Analyzing these conversations can help healthcare professionals improve their communication, ensuring that patients understand their diagnoses and treatment options.

Sociolinguistics and Cultural Studies: CA provides insights into how language reflects social structures and cultural norms. Researchers can study how different communities communicate and how language use varies across contexts.

Media and Discourse Analysis: CA can be used to analyze media interactions, such as interviews or talk shows, to understand how public figures communicate and how discourse shapes public opinion.

Conflict Resolution: Understanding the dynamics of conversation can aid in conflict resolution by highlighting how misunderstandings arise and how they can be addressed through effective communication strategies.

Practical Applications of Media and Discourse Analysis:

Journalism: Journalists can use insights from discourse analysis to improve their reporting, ensuring that they present issues fairly and accurately, and avoid perpetuating stereotypes.

Public Relations: PR professionals can analyze media discourse to craft messages that resonate with audiences and effectively manage public perception.

Policy Making: Understanding media discourse can inform policymakers about public sentiment and the framing of issues, helping them to communicate more effectively with the public.

Education: Educators can use media and discourse analysis to teach critical thinking skills, encouraging students to analyze media messages and understand their implications.

Social Movements: Activists can analyze media representations of their movements to identify biases and develop strategies for more effective communication and advocacy.

8.2.1 What is Turn-Taking in Conversation?

Definition:

In an ordinary conversation, the process of turn-taking functions in a rather orderly manner. Typically, it involves one person start to speak, expressing their thoughts, ideas, or information. As soon as this person finishes their part, the other individual promptly follows up, ready to contribute their own perspective or response. This seamless exchange creates a rhythm within the conversation.

- Turn-Taking:

The process is about how everyone works together to make sure just one person is talking at any given moment, or how they deal with it when people start talking over each other (Sacks, Schegloff, & Jefferson, 1974).

Key Features:

- One-at-a-Time Rule:Generally only one person speaks at a time during a conversation.

- Turn Order: The sequence in which participants take turns to speak.It is a fundamental aspect of verbal communication that ensures the orderly exchange of information between participants.

- Turn Size: The length and complexity of the speech segment that a participant produces before yielding the floor to another speaker.

Speech length: The time or word count of a speaker from the beginning of the speech to the end of the speech. The length of the speech can be very short, containing only a few words, or it can be very long, containing multiple sentences or paragraphs.

Speech control:How the speaker manages the length of his speech and how to influence the progress and direction of the dialogue through the length of the speech. For example, a speaker may maintain the dominance of the dialogue by extending the speaking time, or encouraging other participants to speak by shortening the speaking time.

- Turn Allocation: The methods and rules by which the opportunity to speak is distributed among the participants.Effective turn allocation is crucial for maintaining engagement and preventing misunderstandings.

- Repair Mechanisms: Methods to handle errors or violations in turn-taking (Schegloff, 1992).Repair behavior usually

8.2. 1 How People Take Turns in Conversation

When people are talking without overlap,they will take turns of speaking by noticing units of speech that can be a beginning and an end (e.g., clauses, phrases) and points in the conversation where a turn might reasonably end, signaling a potential transition (Schegloff, 2000).

- Overlap Resolution: Practices to manage simultaneous talk, such as stopping, continuing, or adjusting volume (Schegloff, 2000).

Examples:

- Initial Overlap: Both start talking simultaneously.

Example:

A: "Hey, I was just thinking we should go see that new movie this weekend."

B: "Yeah, I was actually about to say the same thing! I heard it's really good."

In this case, both A and B start to express a similar idea almost at the same time.

- Reaction: Each hears the other and decides whether to continue or stop.

Example:

Alice says , "I really liked the movie we watched last night. The special effects were amazing." Then Bob responds, "Yeah, I agree. The way they created the other world was so cool. What was your favorite part of the story?" Now it's Alice's turn again and she says, "I think my favorite part was when the hero had to make that difficult choice at the end. It really showed his character." In this conversation, Alice and Bob are taking turns by reaction.

- Resolution: One continues, the other stops, or both stop, creating silence (Schegloff, 2000).

Example:

People raise their hands to signal that they want to speak. The host of the meeting then calls on them in the order that the hands were raised. So , after they're done, the host calls on the next person.

8.2.2How Listeners Perceive a Turn is Coming to a Close

-Changes in pitch, tone, and intonation. Imagine two friends, Lily and Eric, are having a conversation about a movie. Lily says, "The movie was really exciting... (long pause) especially the part where the hero had to rescue his friend from the burning building." The pause and the slower pace of her speech towards the end of the sentence can signal to Eric that she's almost done and his turn might be coming up.

-Completion of a sentence or clause. Brief pauses can indicate the end of a turn.

- Non-Verbal Cues: Gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact (Schegloff, 2000)

eg. When chatters have enough understanding of each other,they can pass the turn by body language.

8.3.1.1 Linguistic Means of Getting the Turn

Strategies:

- Self-Selection:The speaker chooses the direction of the topic without the assignment of other participants.

- Current Speaker Selection: Addressing a question or comment directly to another participant.It is a process by which the next speaker is identified and chosen to speak after the current speaker has finished their turn.

- Interruption: One participant begins speaking before the current speaker has finished their turn or indicated that they are done speaking.

- Projecting Continuation: Speakers signal ongoing speech after a brief thing or after completing a particular thought.

eg.Stand-Alone "So".

Examples:

- Interruption: "Wait, I'm not finished!" to reclaim the floor (Schegloff, 2000).

- Formal: In a meeting about a project, the project manager is talking about the progress. The team member might use back - channeling responses like "Yes, I see your point. And I think it's also important to consider..." Here, the team member first acknowledges the current speaker's point (back - channeling with "Yes, I see your point") and then smoothly transitions into taking the turn to add their own thoughts.

-Informal: In a group discussion about a book, Tom is speaking passionately about the plot. But Jerry wants to share his different perspective. Jerry might say, "Excuse me, Tom, but I have to interject here." The phrase "Excuse me" is a polite way to signal that Jerry wants to take the turn. Another similar phrase could be "Pardon me for interrupting, but...".

8.3.1.2 Linguistic Means of NOT Taking Turns

Utterances:

- Backchannels: Short responses like "yeah," "no," "right," "sure" to show attentiveness without taking the turn (Schegloff, 2000).

- Minimal Responses: Simple affirmations or negations to maintain the flow of conversation (Schegloff, 2000).

Purpose:

- Maintaining Engagement: Ensuring the dominant speaker knows the listener is attentive (Schegloff, 2000).

- Avoiding Interruption: Preventing the conversation from being disrupted (Schegloff, 2000).

Examples:

- Giving brief and vague responses.

When given the opportunity to speak, one only offers very brief answers without any substantial content. For example, in a discussion about a new movie, after others have expressed their views, when it's his turn to speak, he just says, "Hmm, it sounds good" or "It seems like that". Such responses don't really engage in the in-depth exchange of the conversation and are a manifestation of passivity. For instance, in a discussion about the complex time-travel plot in a science fiction movie, the previous person elaborated on his understanding of the time paradox in detail. But when it was his turn, he simply said, "Hmm, it's quite complex. I think what you said makes sense", without further sharing his own insights.

8.3.2 Effective Non-Linguistic Means Strategies

Strategies:

- Gestures: Nodding, pointing, or other physical movements (Schegloff, 2000).

- Facial Expressions: Smiling, frowning, raising eyebrows (Schegloff, 2000).

- Eye Contact: Maintaining or breaking eye contact to signal attention or disengagement (Schegloff, 2000).

- Body Posture: Leaning forward to show interest, leaning back to signal disinterest (Schegloff, 2000).

Working Basics:

- Non-Verbal Cues: Complement verbal cues to enhance understanding and coordination (Schegloff, 2000).

- Contextual Awareness: Adapt non-verbal strategies based on the setting and relationship between participants (Schegloff, 2000).

Example:

A listener can break eye contact briefly to show that they are thinking about what the speaker said. Then, re - establishing eye contact can signal that they are ready to respond. In a conversation about a book, when the speaker finishes a point, the listener might look away for a moment to process the information and then look back at the speaker to indicate that their turn to speak is approaching.

8.4.1 Why Different Conversation Events/Genres Display

Different Turn-Taking Norms

Factors:

- Context: Formal settings (e.g., interviews, debates) vs. informal settings (e.g., casual conversations) (Schegloff, 1999).

- Role and Status: In an academic discussion group, members have similar status. Each member waits for their turn to present their research findings or have comments on others' work. The norms ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to contribute without one person dominating. Professional roles (e.g., therapist, teacher) influence turn-taking norms (Schegloff, 1999).

- Cultural Differences: In some Asian cultures that have a collectivist orientation, such as in Japan, turn - taking in conversations may be more respectfully. People may be more likely to wait for their turn to be clearly signaled and may avoid interrupting others. This is because the cultural value of harmony and respect for the group is emphasized Variations in turn-taking practices across different cultures (Schegloff, 1999).

Examples:

- Broadcast News Interviews (Greatbatch, 1988): Distinct turn-taking norms, such as the use of known-answer questions (Greatbatch, 1988).

- Classroom Settings: Teachers may use specific turn-taking practices to manage student participation (Schegloff, 1999).

Implications:

- Adaptability: Understanding different turn-taking norms helps in adapting communication styles to various contexts (Schegloff, 1999).

- Effectiveness: Appropriate turn-taking enhances the clarity and efficiency of communication (Schegloff, 1999).

8.3 attributable silence

8.3.1 definition:

Attributable silence: Attributable silence "is a concept used in session analysis that refers to the silence in a particular conversation structure where a participant is expected to speak but does not. This silence is attributable because it violates the expected behavior in the conversation, that is, when a participant is asked directly or selected as the next speaker, they are usually expected to respond. If they fail to do so, the silence is considered "attributable" because it is recognizable and requires explanation.

Adjacency pair: Adjacent pairs are two adjacent speech acts produced by different speakers, in which one speech act (such as a question) is expected to induce another speech act (such as an answer). Adjacency pairs are key in conversational structure. The form, purpose of each part, and the context around them significantly influence the utterance’s meaning and function. (Khalaf, Wisal and Sameer, Emad, 2024)

If the second speech act does not occur, silence is considered "attributable" because it violates the expected structure of adjacent pairs.

picture:https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=%e6%b2%89%e9%bb%98&form=HDRSC3&first=1

8.3.2 the difference between short pauses and silence

Short pauses:

l A short pause is usually a very short pause in or between a speaker's words. This pause may be unconscious, or it may be intentional by the speaker to organize thoughts, emphasize a point, or make a natural transition between sentences.

l Short pauses can be a natural part of speech fluency, helping the speaker to breathe or think without interrupting the flow of speech.

l In some cases, a short pause can be used to emphasize or highlight what is to be said next, or to capture the attention of the audience.

silence:

Difference:

Short pause: Generally perceived as a natural part of speech and not usually noticed unless they are absent or unusually frequent.

Silence: More noticeable than short pauses and often requires interpretation, as it can convey various meanings depending on context and cultural norms

In conclusion, short pause and silence are all the important components in communication, though they have different aspects concerning during time, purpose and function.

https://chatgpt.eduhk.hk/apps/

8.3.3the function of silence / silence is also speech

8.3.3.1 types of silence

Different types of silences play different functions, according to Jaworski (1993). As Kurzon, Dennis (1998) commended, when posed with a question, the addressee receives a verbal stimulus; however, they possess the option to respond either verbally or through silence. This choice generates meaning, thereby imbuing silence with significance.

Judgmental function： The silence signals disapproval and disfavor, which also can signal assent and approval. This silence function always connects with person’ s face expression. For example, when a person expresses his opinion to his friend, but his friend does not answer him and silence with unhappiness, it may signal his friend does not agree with his opinion.

Linkage function: bond people together or drive them apart. For example, a boy and a girl in a conversation and stop talking, then look at each other passionately, this silence may bond their relationship. By contrast, when they just argue with each other, the silence may drive them apart.

Affective function: this kind of silence depends on what people think. For example, a writer asks his friend to commend his novel, and his friend uses silence to respond to him, the silence may delight the writer if he considers that it signals his friend has read his novel earnestly and is thinking seriously. The silence also may wound the writer if he thinks that it is a symbol of disappointment for his novel.

Revelatory function: make something known to a person or it may hide information from them.

Activating function: signal deep thoughtfulness or mental inactivity. for example, a person may become ‘speechless’ after hearing something very touching or highly thought-provoking, and this silence signals deep thoughtfulness. However, a person may also become ‘speechless’ when he or she thinks the content is boring or uninteresting, which signals mental inactivity.

8.3.3.2 The similarity of all kinds of silences

l The silence meaning has a close relationship with real context

l The silence meaning can show two sides. for example, linkage silence can signal to bond people together or drive them apart.

8.3.4 Silence in different areas

Silence plays a significant role in various areas of life, each with its own implications and meanings. Here’s a breakdown of how silence is perceived and utilized across different domains:

l Silence in the legal field

It means that silence can be regarded as an act of legal significance under certain circumstances. Silence has legal effects, which involve many legal principles such as expression of will, protection of trust, honesty and credit. The discussion of silence in the Anglo-American legal context invariably centers around the so-called right of silence. (Dennis Kurzon, 1998)

l Silence in Literary field

Silence in literature is regarded as an aesthetic, not only a lack of discourse, but also a profound sound; Silence is used as a narrative strategy in literature, which is not only a behavior of characters, but also a narrative strategy. At the same time, it is also a kind of ideological existence, which contains deeper levels of speech and expression.

l Silence in Music field

Silence in music can create tension, contrast and other powerful elements that add to the visual effect; Able to convey a wide range of emotions, such as peace, mystery, etc.

8.3. Conclusion

In conclusion, silence occupies a pivotal position in the analysis of conversation, and it is essential that we recognize its profound significance. We have elucidated the definitions of attributable silence and adjacency pairs while examining the distinctions between brief pauses and extended silences. Silence fulfills various functions, including judgmental, linkable, affective, revelatory, and activating roles, thereby indicating that silence can also be considered a form of speech. Furthermore, the implications and functions of silence vary across different contexts.

8.4The repairs of conversation

8.4.1. Definition of conversation repairs:

In conversation analysis , conversation repairs refer to the process by which speakers make corrections、 solutions,、additions and adjustments to some errors、 misunderstandings and questions that arise during conversations and communication.

8.4.2. The time of repairing:

8.4.2.1 repair in conversation:

We can carry on repairs during the conversation, which helps to adjust and correct the dialogue in a timely manner. For example:

A: ”Did you say you are coming to this activity at 9:00a.m?”

B: “No, I said I’d be there at 10:00 a.m.

8.4.2.2 making repairs after speech:

For example:

When the speaker finished his speech, he noticed that some people still feel doubted, so the speaker clarified his views again.

Picture1 : https://www.craiyon.com

8.4.3The categories of language repair

8.4.3.1”Self-initiated, self-repaired”：

When the speaker wants to right themselves or fails to find suitable words during the speech, and carry on a brief pause , this strategy will be adopted. For example:

Speaker A: I finished my work in in the afternoon, umm.. I mean in the morning.

8.4.3.2”Self-initiated, other-repaired”：

When the speaker cannot remember which suitable words or phrases to use in the initiated conversation, another speaker will remind he or she. For example:

A: Our teacher said that we will go to the museum on November 10th.

B: No, on November 12th.

8.4.3.3”Other-initiated, self-repaired”：

Other people cannot understand or hear clearly the speaker’s words. For example:

A: Please give me a pen.

B: What?

A: I said that please give me a pen.

8.4.3.4”Other-initiated, other-repaired”：

Another person corrected the speaker's mistake in their words. For example:

A: Our teacher will take us to watch a movie tomorrow morning. Would you like to go？“

B: ”It is the day after tomorrow.

A: Oh, ok.

8.4.4. Language repair influenced by different cultures:

Due to cultural differences, there may be different understandings of language repair during communication. For example: (A: native Chinese speaker B: native English speaker)

A: I think he is a “paper tiger”.

B: What? Are you sure? Why you said that he is a tiger made of paper?”

From this example, it can be seen that different cultural differences have a significant impact on language repair. In our China, “paper tiger ”it means that one people who is a seemingly powerful but actually weak person. However, for English speaker, he or she often understands that “paper tiger” it means a tiger made of paper.

Picture2: https://www.craiyon.com

8.4.5 The importance of repairing:

From a linguistic perspective, language repair plays an extremely important role in conversation analysis. It can make language communication more smoother and more accurate. Also, the language learner can improve their language learning skills from discourse repairs. In addition, Language repair can also improve people's communication skills and promote the development of interpersonal relationships.

8.5 Dialogue sequence

In our communication, our words usually form a special order automatically, making our words appear clearer and more organized.

8.5.1.Types of dialogue sequence:

8.5.1.1. A specific fixed sequence：

In our daily life ,when we communicate with others, we often say some formulaic utterances. These utterances can make our discourse become more and more easier.

For example:

A: Nice to meet you.

B: Nice to meet you too.

8.5.1.2. Follow up on dialogue：

Follow up on dialogue also called “adjacency pairs”. We can understand it as referring to two sets of dialogues that correspond to each other and have context before and after. There are many kinds of “adjacency pairs”.

8.5.1.2.1.greeting and reciprocal greeting:

For example: A: ”Hi”

B: ”Hi”

8.5.1.2.2.request-compliance:

For example: A: ”Can you help me ? I am very busy now and don’t have any free time.”

B: ”No problem, tell me what can I do .”

8.5.1.2.3.question-response:

For example: A: ”Can you tell me how to spell “linguist”?

B:”l-i-n-g-u-i-s-t.”

8.5.1.2.4.complaint and excuse:

For example: A: ”Sorry，I have a fever and may not be able to go out with you.“

B: ”No problem, have a good rest!”

These “ adjacency pairs” form the basic dialogue and promote the development of interpersonal relationships.

8.5.1.2.5. IRF(initiation-response-follow-up):

Sometimes, there will be a subsequent action or follow-up associated with an adjacent pair. In this case, it becomes an exchange: IRF. For example:

A:” Our school will hold a sports meet next week.”

B: ”Really? What events will be held at the sports meet？“

A：“Running, high jump, long jump…”

Picture1:https://hotpot.ai/art-generator?s=tools

8.5.2. Concepts in dialogue analysis:

In our communication， we may encounter situations such as not receiving a positive response or not receiving the correct response, not being accepted, and so on. At this point, two concepts will be involved：preferred responses and dis-preferred responses.

8.5.3.1.preferred responses:
if speaker answer the positive answers, this is called “preferred responses. For example:

A: ”let’s do it!”

B:”OK.”

Additionally, preferred responses is considered to be the preferred choice in dialogue analysis.

8.5.3.2dis-preferred responses:

if speaker answer the negative answers, this is called “dis-preferred responses. For example:

A:” let’s do it together !”

B: ”Sorry, I do not have any time now.”

Also, dis-preferred responses is not considered to be the preferred choice in dialogue analysis.

8.5.3.Conclusion:

Having a certain order in dialogue helps listeners better understand the information presented by the speaker, increases interactivity, and promotes the development of language and interpersonal relationships.

Picture2:https://stablediffusionweb.com/#demo

8.6TRANSCRIPTION OF CONVERSATION

8.6.1 What is transcription of conversation?

It refers to the process of converting verbal conversations into

written form. This process involves recording and analyzing various

details of the conversation, including the speakers, the content of

their speech, their tone of voice, laughter, pauses, etc.

https://stablediffusionweb.com/#demo

8.6.2 What types of transcription of conversation there are?

There are four different types of transcription, namely editing transcription, verbatim transcription, intelligent transcription and speech transcription. People can choose different transcription methods according to their different needs.

8.6.4 What’s the difference between transcription of conversation and transcription conventions?

Transcribing a conversation refers to the procedure of transforming spoken language into written form, potentially documenting a person's verbal expressions and behaviors. Transcription conventions constitute a set of rules adhered to during the transcription process. For instance, punctuation marks are employed to signify pauses in speech, and arrows are utilized to indicate variations in tone. Transcription conventions render the content of transcribed conversations more precise and accurate.

8.6.5 Why use transcribed conversations?

Ensure that the methods used in conversation and the content of conversation can be recorded, which can be analyzed and studied in the next step, and have certain research significance and value.However, as the purposes of research may differ, the same conversation can be transcribed in different ways, depending on how detailed an analysis is required.

http://xhslink.com/a/tDPB11AYaj0Z

8.6.6 What is the value of transcribing conversations for special populations?

For people with hearing impairments, transcription can help them understand the world. Providing them with more opportunities to receive education and work can help them integrate into society, which also reflects the humanistic care of society and is conducive to promoting social equity.

https://universitytranscriptions.co.uk/

8.6.7 What is Jefferson transcription system?

The "Jefferson transcription" or "Jefferson transcription system" is a conversational analysis code used by scholars to study speech patterns.Jefferson transcription provides a way to annotate speech with details of performance, action, text, movement, interaction between actors, content, and context.

8.6.8 How is punctuation symbols used in transcription conventions

(1)A period indicates a drop in intonation, but is not necessarily the end of the sentence.

(2)Commas indicate continuous intonation, with a tendency to rise and fall in intonation.

(3)The question mark indicates a rise in intonation and pitch.

(4)Degree symbols indicate syllables or words that are lighter than the surrounding words.

(5)A dash indicates a pause in sound.

Remember that these punctuation marks represent intonation in the transcription convention and have no grammatical meaning.

8.6.9 What information should be included in a transcribed file?

•Date, time and location of the original recording.

•Information about the speaker,especially in multi-person conversations, different labels should be used to distinguish different narrators, such as s1, s2.

•Nonverbal sounds made, such as laughter, gasping, coughing.

•Mark parts that are inaudible or untranscribed.

•The interlocutor's speed, intonation, pitch, mood.

•Visual information.

In this example:

- The timestamps (00:03:21 - 00:03:24) indicate when the dialogue occurs in the video.

- The setting (INT. COFFEE SHOP - MORNING) is described at the top.

- Each line of dialogue is attributed to a specific character (CHANDLER, JOEY, ROSS).

- Punctuation is used to reflect the tone and inflection of the spoken words.

- Parentheticals are used to describe actions or the tone of voice that accompany the dialogue.

An example of a transcription file

This format helps to convey the flow of the conversation and provides context for the reader or viewer.00:03:21 - 00:03:24

INT. COFFEE SHOP - MORNING

CHANDLER: Hey, Joey, have you ever been in a situation where you just can't tell if someone's being sarcastic or not?

00:03:25 - 00:03:28

JOEY: Yeah, it happens to me all the time. I never know when someone's joking.

00:03:29 - 00:03:32

CHANDLER: (sighs) I just wish I could get a handle on it. It's like a secret language.

00:03:33 - 00:03:35

ROSS: (entering) Hey, guys, guess what? I just got a grant to study dinosaurs!

00:03:36 - 00:03:39

CHANDLER: (sarcastically) Oh, really? You and your dinosaurs, always so fascinating.

00:03:40 - 00:03:43

ROSS: (confused) I... I don't know, are you being sarcastic?

00:03:44 - 00:03:46

CHANDLER: (laughs) Of course, I was! How did you know?

00:03:47 - 00:03:50

ROSS: I... I just knew. It's a sixth sense I have with you.

```

http://xhslink.com/a/GXWR11VTLk0Z

8.6.10 Summary

Although transcribed conversations cannot represent 100% of what happens in a conversation, we can still learn the above rules and use transcription methods to convert spoken language into written language for research needs.

8.7 Conclusion

Conversation analysis is capable of facilitating people's better comprehension and study of language, which holds substantial significance in social circumstances. Through this chapter, we have acquired several key elements of conversation analysis, such as turn-taking strategies, attributable silence, the sequence of conversation, and the manner in which the transcription process is executed in accordance with transcription conventions. Conversation analysis offers us an analytical description of the organization of interaction and assists us in comprehending how people conduct conversations in society and the reasons behind it.

Comprehension Questions:

1.In the transcription convention, what precisely is the function of the comma?

A、Indicates continuous intonation

B、Express doubt

C、Indicates a pause in the sound

D、All the above

(Key:A)

2.Which information is needed to transcribe the file？

A.Time

B.Date

C.Information about the speaker

D.All the above

(Key:D)

3.Read the following conversation and find out the correct option.

Speaker A: Quickly!Our movie starts at nine o'clock.

Speaker B:No, it is start at 11 o’clock.

A.self- initiated self-repair

B.other- initiated self-repair

C.self- initiated other-repair

D.other- initiated other-repair

(Key:C)

4.Which of the following types of adjacency pair does the example demonstrate?

Speaker A: Can you give me a pen?

Speaker B: No,problem!

A.Request-compliance

B.greeting - greeting

C.question -answer

D.complaint - excuse / remedy

(Key:A)

5.In the following opinions,which one is NOT the key feature of turn-taking in conversation?

A.One party talks at a time.

B.Turn-taking doesn’t follow one pattern.

C.Turn Order is not fixed; varies based on context and participant actions.

D.Turn Size is not predetermined; can vary in length.

(Key:B)

6.In a group discussion about a book, Tom is speaking passionately about the plot. But Jerry wants to share his different perspective. Jerry might say, "Excuse me, Tom, but I have to interject here." Which mean of getting the turn does the phrase "Excuse me" use?

A.Interruption

B.Projecting Continuation

C.Standing-Alone "So"

(Key: A)

7.Which of the following is a practical application of Conversation Analysis (CA) mentioned in the document?

A. Improving traffic management systems

B. Enhancing video game character interactions

C. Training communication skills in interpersonal contexts

D. Developing new algorithms for data analysis

(Key: C)

8.In which field can Conversation Analysis (CA) be applied to analyze doctor-patient interactions?

A. Marketing

B. Finance

C. Healthcare

D. Fashion design

(Key: C)

9.Which of the following best describes a situation where attributable silence occurs?

A. When a person chooses to remain silent because they are unsure of the social norms in a new environment.

B. When a person is unable to speak due to a physical disability.

C. When a person is too tired to engage in conversation.

D. When a person is intentionally ignoring someone as a form of passive-aggressive behavior.

(Key:D)

10.Which of the following best describes a situation where attributable silence occurs?

A. When a person chooses to remain silent because they are unsure of the social norms in a new environment.

B. When a person is unable to speak due to a physical disability.

C. When a person is too tired to engage in conversation.

D. When a person is intentionally ignoring someone as a form of passive-aggressive behavior.

(Key:A)

Reference:

An introduction to qualitative research (4th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications. ISBN 978-1-84787-323-1.Flick, Uwe (2009).

(Heritage, 1984; Maynard & Clayman, 1991; Gill & Clayman, 2000).

Jaworski, A. (1993). The power of silence : social and pragmatic perspectives. Sage.

Kurzon, D. (1998). Discourse of silence. John Benjamins Publishing Company.

Khalaf, W., & Sameer, E. (2024). Analysis of Adjacency Pairs of Beckham’s Interview. Majallat al-ādāb, 2(148), 19–38.

Wang, L. (2011). Introduction to language studies. Pearson Custom Pub.

https://doi.org/10.31973/g0pfnp71

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