Conversation Analysis and the X Factor
Part 1
I have selected an interview with X-Factor judge Kelly Rowland, in which she finds out that contestant Frankie Cocozza has been 'kicked off ' of the show.
Transcription methods vary depending on what the analyst chooses to investigate. In this particular case, as I was interested in, not only how the speakers perform social activities through language (Seedhouse, 2008), but also the contribution of their non-verbal actions, I chose Conversation Analysis (CA). However, one must point out that, although CA emphasises empirical, data-led research "to guard against building speculative theories," (Hewings, 2008, p.34), it is futile to suppose one single, authoritative version of the original event exists (Graddol, 1994). Furthermore, not all features of spoken interaction can be captured, nor can specific motives be attributed to a certain non-verbal action.
01 Reporter: of course we are a:bsolutely huge fans of you on the[x factor
02 Kelly: [thank you
03 Reporter: (loving watching [you
04 Kelly: [thank you
05 Reporter: um (.) but b.but (.) w.we 're sho(cked to hear today ((fiddles with hair)) that Frankie 's (.) gone (.) what can you tell ºus º w.what do you make of that
06 Kelly: (0.2) what(=
07 PA: = I don 't we don 't we 've been lo(cked in a room [all day
08 Reporter: [oh re::ally( hah hah (.) oh gosh yeah( th.they released a statement saying that he um (.) that he 's decided to leave
09 PA: (.) oh I don 't know I think we 'll have [to ( )
10 Reporter: [oh I 'm sorry I ( )
11 Kelly: ((holds up hand as if to stop)) [yeah cos that would be quite the face to have from [that oh my god
12 Reporter: [I 'm so sorry I didn 't realise it like broke all over twitter (.) and I um we got a º statement º about it
13 PA: ((Kelly looks at her PA)) (0.2) I don 't know we 'll have to cos (Ellen 's not (here from
I have selected an interview with X-Factor judge Kelly Rowland, in which she finds out that contestant Frankie Cocozza has been 'kicked off ' of the show.
Transcription methods vary depending on what the analyst chooses to investigate. In this particular case, as I was interested in, not only how the speakers perform social activities through language (Seedhouse, 2008), but also the contribution of their non-verbal actions, I chose Conversation Analysis (CA). However, one must point out that, although CA emphasises empirical, data-led research "to guard against building speculative theories," (Hewings, 2008, p.34), it is futile to suppose one single, authoritative version of the original event exists (Graddol, 1994). Furthermore, not all features of spoken interaction can be captured, nor can specific motives be attributed to a certain non-verbal action.
01 Reporter: of course we are a:bsolutely huge fans of you on the[x factor
02 Kelly: [thank you
03 Reporter: (loving watching [you
04 Kelly: [thank you
05 Reporter: um (.) but b.but (.) w.we 're sho(cked to hear today ((fiddles with hair)) that Frankie 's (.) gone (.) what can you tell ºus º w.what do you make of that
06 Kelly: (0.2) what(=
07 PA: = I don 't we don 't we 've been lo(cked in a room [all day
08 Reporter: [oh re::ally( hah hah (.) oh gosh yeah( th.they released a statement saying that he um (.) that he 's decided to leave
09 PA: (.) oh I don 't know I think we 'll have [to ( )
10 Reporter: [oh I 'm sorry I ( )
11 Kelly: ((holds up hand as if to stop)) [yeah cos that would be quite the face to have from [that oh my god
12 Reporter: [I 'm so sorry I didn 't realise it like broke all over twitter (.) and I um we got a º statement º about it
13 PA: ((Kelly looks at her PA)) (0.2) I don 't know we 'll have to cos (Ellen 's not (here from
References: Atkinson, J.M. (1984) Our Master 's Voices: The Language and Body Language of Politics, London, Methuen Beard, A Brown, P. and Levinson, S. (1987) Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press Crystal, D Edwards, V. (2007) U211 Exploring the English Language, DVD 1: Language Play in English, Block B, Unit 11, Section 5, Milton Keynes, The Open University Goffman, E Goodwin, M.H. (1990) 'Tactical use of stories: participation frameworks within girls ' and boys ' disputes ', Discourse Processes, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 33-71 Graddol, D., Cheshire, J., and Swann, J Halliday, M.A.K. (1978) Language as Social Semiotic: The Social Interpretation of Language and Meaning, London, Edward Arnold Hewings, A Holmes, J. (2001) Introduction to Sociolinguistics (2nd edn), London, Longman Lakoff, R Malinowski, B. (1923) 'The problem of meaning in primitive languages ' in Ogden, C.K. and Richards, I.M. (eds) The Meaning of Meaning, London, Routledge &Kegan Paul Maybin, J Percival, A. (2011) What? The moment Kelly finds out Frankie has been axed [online] London http://celebrity.aol.co.uk/2011/11/08/kelly-rowland-frankie-cocozza/ (Accessed: 29th Nov 2011) Sacks, H., Schegloff, E Seedhouse, P. (2008) U211 Exploring the English Language, DVD 1: Everyday Talk, Block B, Unit 9, Section 1, Milton Keynes, The Open University Vaid, V