Spoken Discourse
Spoken Discourse Assignment
Introduction
In this paper, the aim is to apply different methods of discourse analysis to a selected extract of transcribed language to establish who holds the power during the interaction. In a normal interview situation, the interviewer will control the topic change of the interaction and ask the questions and the interviewee will respond. One of the aims is to establish whether this is the case, and to see if this remains constant throughout the extract. The initial assumption is Gillian Duffy holds the power. However, an analysis of the transcript reveals a number of irregularities that would suggest a struggle for power from both parties within the interaction. …show more content…
GB is calm and relaxed up until GD asks him a challenging question (L1) GB uses hand gestures in his reply and smiles nervously, agreeing with GD (L8) suggesting that GB is flustered by the questions he is being asked. GB uses non fluency features as he stammers on several occasions Lines: 9, 15, 19, 41, 49 & 62 this suggests he is struggling for power and is unsure what to say. According to D. Crystal (1976)
Paralanguage is in fact generally seen as a kind of bridge between non-linguistic forms of communicative behaviour and the traditionally central areas of ‘verbal’ linguistic study-grammar (Crystal, 1976, pg162) Referring back to the initial assumption that GD held power; the structural analysis suggests that GB has power because he does utter the most words and has the longest turns but GD allocates turns, controls the topic and asks the majority of the questions. Therefore the initial assumptions are put into question. In order to determine the extent to which the power struggle is actually balanced, a pragmatic analysis will now be …show more content…
For this, Grice’s cooperative Principle (1975) will be used:
Grice says that when we communicate we assume, without realising it, that we, and the people we are talking to will be conversationally cooperative – we will cooperate to achieve mutual conversational ends (Grice, 1975, p183)
During the interaction the maxim of relevance is flouted (Lines: 5, 11, 16, 27, 34 & 53) as GD interrupts GB with questions, changing the topic of talk suggesting she is not happy with GB’s answers. The maxim of manner is flouted (L1) where GD asks GB “but how are you going to get us out of this debt Gordon?” This is due to the fact that question is asked in an obscure manner. The implication is that its GB’s fault the country is in so much debt. The same question is also an On Record threat to GB’s positive face as GD makes it clear who it’s aimed at.
The maxim of manner is also flouted by GD again (L18) “Where are they flocking from” suggesting she is implying that the country is overwhelmed by immigrants.
According to Grice
Introduction
In this paper, the aim is to apply different methods of discourse analysis to a selected extract of transcribed language to establish who holds the power during the interaction. In a normal interview situation, the interviewer will control the topic change of the interaction and ask the questions and the interviewee will respond. One of the aims is to establish whether this is the case, and to see if this remains constant throughout the extract. The initial assumption is Gillian Duffy holds the power. However, an analysis of the transcript reveals a number of irregularities that would suggest a struggle for power from both parties within the interaction. …show more content…
GB is calm and relaxed up until GD asks him a challenging question (L1) GB uses hand gestures in his reply and smiles nervously, agreeing with GD (L8) suggesting that GB is flustered by the questions he is being asked. GB uses non fluency features as he stammers on several occasions Lines: 9, 15, 19, 41, 49 & 62 this suggests he is struggling for power and is unsure what to say. According to D. Crystal (1976)
Paralanguage is in fact generally seen as a kind of bridge between non-linguistic forms of communicative behaviour and the traditionally central areas of ‘verbal’ linguistic study-grammar (Crystal, 1976, pg162) Referring back to the initial assumption that GD held power; the structural analysis suggests that GB has power because he does utter the most words and has the longest turns but GD allocates turns, controls the topic and asks the majority of the questions. Therefore the initial assumptions are put into question. In order to determine the extent to which the power struggle is actually balanced, a pragmatic analysis will now be …show more content…
For this, Grice’s cooperative Principle (1975) will be used:
Grice says that when we communicate we assume, without realising it, that we, and the people we are talking to will be conversationally cooperative – we will cooperate to achieve mutual conversational ends (Grice, 1975, p183)
During the interaction the maxim of relevance is flouted (Lines: 5, 11, 16, 27, 34 & 53) as GD interrupts GB with questions, changing the topic of talk suggesting she is not happy with GB’s answers. The maxim of manner is flouted (L1) where GD asks GB “but how are you going to get us out of this debt Gordon?” This is due to the fact that question is asked in an obscure manner. The implication is that its GB’s fault the country is in so much debt. The same question is also an On Record threat to GB’s positive face as GD makes it clear who it’s aimed at.
The maxim of manner is also flouted by GD again (L18) “Where are they flocking from” suggesting she is implying that the country is overwhelmed by immigrants.
According to Grice