Conversation is a fundamental aspect of human interaction. Whether we’re chatting with friends, conducting business meetings, or engaging with media content, conversations shape our daily lives. But have you ever then thought about how these conversations work and what underlying patterns govern them? This is where Conversation Analysis (CA) comes into play.
In the field of Media and Communications, CA is a powerful tool for unravelling the intricacies of human communication. In this article, we’ll delve into the key concepts and theories of Conversation Analysis. Furthermore, explore its significance in understanding media and communication.
What is Conversation Analysis?
Conversation Analysis is a research approach that aims to understand the structure and organisation of naturally occurring talk. The theory was developed in the 1960s by sociologists Harvey Sacks, Emanuel Schegloff, and Gail Jefferson. CA focuses on analysing the dynamics of spoken communication. This includes turn-taking, repair, and the organisation of sequences in conversation.
Analysing the Mechanics of Talk
CA dives deep into the mechanics of conversation to understand how we use language to create meaning and convey information. Moreover, it’s all about breaking down conversations into their constituent parts. It’s very much like dissecting a piece of music to understand its melody and rhythm.
- Turn-Taking: In conversation, speakers take turns to talk, and this process is not as random as it might seem. CA explores how we signal the end of our turn and the beginning of another. For instance, when you pause or use phrases like “uh-huh” or “I see”. Therefore, you’re signalling that you’re ready for the other person to speak (Schegloff, 1967).
- Adjacency Pairs: Conversations often follow a pattern of initiation and response. For example, when someone says, “How are you?” we expect a response like “I’m good, thanks.” CA examines these structural patterns in talk and how they contribute to meaning-making (Schegloff, 1968).
- Repair: Communication is not always smooth, and errors or misunderstandings can occur. CA looks at how participants in a conversation repair these issues. For instance, if someone says, “I’m going to the store to, um, pick up some, uh, bread,” they are self-repairing by revising their sentence (Jefferson, 1974).
Conversational Devices & Structures
CA also investigates specific linguistic devices and structures that shape conversations. These include:
- Preference Organisation: Conversations often involve making choices or expressing preferences. CA studies how these preferences are organised and how they influence the direction of a conversation (Pomerantz, 1978).
- Adjacency Pairs & Speech Acts: When we engage in conversations, we perform various speech acts. This can include things such as making requests or giving advice. CA then helps to uncover the rules governing these actions (Searle, 1969).
Media & Communication Implications
So, why does all this matter in Media and Communications? CA offers valuable insights into how various forms of media use conversation as a tool for storytelling, news reporting, and more.
- News Discourse Analysis: CA has been instrumental in understanding how news broadcasts are structured. By examining the ways in which journalists and interviewees interact, researchers have shed light on how news stories are constructed and framed (Clayman, 2002).
- Television & Film Dialogue: In television and film, conversation is a vital element of storytelling. CA helps us understand how dialogue is crafted to convey information, emotions, and also character development.
- Political Rhetoric & Debates: CA is an invaluable tool for dissecting political speeches and debates. It reveals the strategies politicians use to persuade and communicate with the public (Heritage & Greatbatch, 1986).
- Social Media & Online Communication: With the rise of social media, conversations have taken on new forms. CA has been used to further analyse online discussions, comments, and tweets. This can help is understand how people interact and construct meaning in the digital world (Page, 2012).
- Gender & Language: CA has also played a significant role in uncovering the subtle ways in which gender is constructed and maintained through language in media. It highlights how gender norms are reflected in conversational patterns (West & Zimmerman, 1983).
Conclusion
Conversation Analysis is a powerful tool in the field of Media and Communications. By breaking down the intricate workings of conversation, CA reveals the hidden structures that shape our interactions. For example, face-to-face discussions, news reporting, or online conversations. Its applications are far-reaching and provide valuable insights into how language shapes our world.
Understanding the mechanics of talk not only helps us become more adept communicators but also empowers us to critically analyse the media we consume and the messages they convey. In a world where communication is paramount, CA offers a lens through which we can gain a deeper understanding of the messages that surround us. In essence, Conversation Analysis isn’t just about words – it’s about understanding the very essence of human connection and communication.
References
Clayman, S. E. (2002). Sequence and Solidarity: An effect of the close-parenthetical. Discourse Studies, 4(2), 111-141.
Heritage, J., & Greatbatch, D. (1986). Generating Applause: A Study of Rhetoric and Response at Party Political Conferences. American Journal of Sociology, 92(1), 110-157.
Jefferson, G. (1974). Error Correction as an Interactional Resource. Language in Society, 429-444.
Page, R. (2012). Stories and Social Media: Identities and Interaction. Routledge.
Pomerantz, A. (1978). Compliment Responses: Notes on the Co-operation of Multiple Constraints. In J. Schenkein (Ed.), Studies in the organization of conversational interaction (pp. 79-112). Academic Press.
Schegloff, E. A. (1967). On Repair After Next Turn: The Last Structurally Provided Defense of Intersubjectivity in Conversation. American Journal of Sociology, 97(5), 1295-1345.
Schegloff, E. A. (1968). Sequencing in Conversational Openings. American Anthropologist, 70(6), 1075-1095.
Searle, J. R. (1969). Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge University Press.
West, C., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1983). Small Insults: A Study of Interruptions in Cross‐Sex Conversations Between Unacquainted Persons. In B. Thorne, C. Kramarae, & N. Henley (Eds.) Language, Gender and Society. Cambridge, MA: Newbury House.