Introductory description

What does spoken language contribute to the world? In this module we will investigate the importance of spoken interaction for creating relationships, establishing identity and consolidating community. We will explore the concept of language itself and trace how theories have incrementally increased current linguists' understanding. We will note the growing realisation of the interaction between context and meaning as well as the fundamental position of spoken discourse in the fabric of society. The module will provide you with skills of recording and transcribing what you hear around you in order to analyse natural every day conversation. From that analysis you will be able to gain insights into a range of issues such as power dynamics, identity work, politeness and discursive practices.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module will cover the following broad topic areas.

• Key figures in Linguistics
• Talk in Context
• Speech Acts
• Interaction Structures (turn taking and repair)
• Transcription of spoken language
• Discursive Practices
• Talk and Identity
• Style and Stance
• Discourse Communities

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• trace the development of the theories which help understanding of spoken interaction
• transcribe a stretch of spoken interaction with appropriate annotation for analysis
• analyse a spoken interaction in terms of its context, participant framework, register and use of interactional resources
• discuss the significance of features found in spoken data as regards the discursive practices they may demonstrate
• critically analyse the usefulness of a range of theoretical approaches to the understanding of spoken language

Indicative reading list

1. Illustrative Bibliography
   Abu-Akel, A., (2002). The psychological and social dynamics of topic performance in family dinnertime conversation. Journal of Pragmatics, 34 (12), pp.1787-1806
   Austin, J.L. (1962). How to do things with words. Harvard University Press
   Bourdieu, P. (1977) Outline of a theory of practice. Cambridge University Press
   Clancy, B. (2016) Investigating Intimate Discourse: Exploring the spoken interaction of families, couples and friends (Domains of Discourse). Routledge
   Goffman, E. (1981). Forms of talk. University of Pennsylvania Press
   Goodwin, C. & A. Duranti (1992). (Eds.) Rethinking context: language as an interactive phenomenon. Cambridge University Press
   Grice, H.P. (1989). Logic and conversation. In H.P. Grice (Ed.) Studies in the way of words. Harvard University Press
   Hanks, W.F. (1996). Language and Communicative Practices. Westview
   Hymes, D. (1974). Foundations in sociolinguistics: an ethnographic approach. University of Pennsylvania Press
   Ochs, E. (1979). Transcription as theory. In E.Ochs & B. Schieffelin, Eds. Developmental Pragmatics. Academic Press
   Ochs, E. (2002). Becoming a speaker of culture. In C.J. Kramsch (Ed.) Language acquisition and language socialisation: Ecological perspectives. Continuum
   Pichler, P. & Eppler, E. (2009). (Eds.) Gender and spoken interaction. Palgrave Macmillan
   Sacks, H., E.A. Schegloff & G. Jefferson (1978). A simplest systematics for the organisation of turn taking for conversation. In J.N. Schenkein Ed. Studies in the organisation of conversational interaction. Academic Press (originally 1974)
   Stenstrom, A. (1994). Introduction to Spoken Interaction. Routledge
   Ten have, P. (2007). 2nd ed. Doing conversation Analysis. Sage.
   Tracy, K. & Robles, J.S. (2013). 2nd ed. Everyday talk: Building and reflecting identities. Guildford.
   Wenger, E. (1998) Communities of practice: Learning, meaning and identity. Cambridge University Press
   Young, R.F. (2008). Language and interaction: an advanced resource book. Routledge

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

Students will collect naturally occurring conversation data and analyse it according to the frameworks covered in the module. A modified ethics form will be used to ensure that all appropriate consideration has been given to the age, capacity and willingness of the participants. This will be reviewed and approved by the module leader before any data is collected. Participant Information Leaflets will be distributed and signed consent forms obtained. The latter will be submitted with the assignment.

Interdisciplinary

The analysis of linguistic data is applicable across a range of disciplines.

International

The skills and approaches taught in the module are relevant to the examination of intercultural communication.

Subject specific skills

Planning and executing spoken data collection including obtaining informed consent from participants
Transcription of spoken data using appropriate annotation
Understanding the importance of context and describing the spatio-temporal aspects of the interaction in detail
Analysis of spoken discourse using linguistic and interactional approaches
Explanation of key linguistic concepts as they pertain to the data collected
Critical discussion of various theoretical approaches to the data
Elucidation of findings in terms of the discursive practices, relationships, identities and discourse communities involved

Transferable skills

Planning and managing a small-scale project including appropriate time management
Using technology appropriately to record and transcribe data
Working effectively with others in group tasks
Finding and evaluating relevant previous research; extrapolating its relevance to new data
Choosing relevant conceptual frameworks for the analysis of the collected data
Applying descriptive frameworks to real-life data
Critical evaluation of key concepts, models and research
Academic writing including appropriate referencing of sources