Getting Acquainted in Conversation: A study of initial interactions

Pragmatics & Beyond New Series #64

by Jan Svennevig

What makes a 'getting acquainted' a recognizable conversational activity, and how are interpersonal relationships established in a first conversation? This book presents a theoretical framework for the study of relationship management in conversation and an empirical study of a corpus of initial interactions. It provides detailed descriptions of the sequential resources unacquainted interlocutors use in order to: - generate self-presentation- introduce topics- establish common contextual resourcesIt is argued that these sequential patterns embody conventionalized procedures for establishing an interpersonal relationship involving some degree of: - solidarity (mutual rights and obligations)- familiarity (mutual knowledge of personal background)- mutual affect (emotional commitment)The sequential analysis is based on a conversation analytic approach, while the interpretive framework consists of pragmatic theories of politeness, conversational style and common ground.

Genres: Linguistics

393 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 2000