- Conversation as Discourse
- Worksheet
- MCQs
- Short Q/A
- Long Q/A
Conversation as Discourse
Conversation as discourse refers to the study of conversations as a form of communication that takes into account not just the individual utterances or statements made by participants, but also the overall structure, organization, and coherence of the conversation as a whole. It focuses on how participants interact, negotiate meaning, and construct meaning collectively through their exchange of turns, topics, and actions. In conversation as discourse, the emphasis is placed on analyzing the underlying principles and patterns that shape the interaction, rather than solely focusing on the content of individual utterances. It recognizes that conversations are not just a series of isolated statements but are embedded within a social and cultural context, influenced by participants' goals, beliefs, and shared understanding. To illustrate the concept of conversation as discourse, let's consider an example: Example: Participants: Alex and Sarah Alex: Hey Sarah, how was your weekend? Sarah: It was great! I went hiking with some friends. How about you? Alex: I had a relaxing weekend. Just stayed at home and watched some movies. Sarah: That sounds nice. What movies did you watch? Alex: I watched a comedy and a thriller. They were both really good. Sarah: Oh, I love thrillers! Which one did you watch? Alex: I saw "Gone Girl." It was intense and had a great plot twist. Sarah: I've heard of that one. I should check it out. So, what did you do after the movies? In this conversation, we can observe several aspects of conversation as discourse: 1. Turn-taking: Participants take turns speaking and respond to each other's statements. There is an implicit agreement on the rules of conversation that govern when to speak and when to listen. 2. Topic management: The conversation begins with a general question about the weekend, and Sarah's response introduces the topic of hiking. Later, the topic shifts to movies, specifically comedy and thrillers, and eventually to the movie "Gone Girl." Participants maintain coherence by building on and shifting topics naturally. 3. Coherence and cohesion: Participants maintain coherence by linking their contributions to the ongoing conversation. For example, Sarah's interest in thrillers prompts her to inquire about the specific thriller movie Alex watched. Alex's response builds on Sarah's interest by providing details about "Gone Girl." This cohesive exchange helps to create a shared understanding between the participants. 4. Social roles: The conversation reflects social roles, where Alex initiates the conversation with a question about Sarah's weekend, and both participants take turns asking and answering questions. These roles contribute to the balance of power and participation within the conversation. 5. Shared knowledge and presupposition: Participants make assumptions about each other's knowledge and rely on shared cultural references. For example, when Alex mentions "Gone Girl," he assumes that Sarah has some familiarity with the movie. This shared knowledge helps to maintain the flow and understanding of the conversation. By analyzing conversations as discourse, researchers can gain insights into the social, cultural, and cognitive aspects of communication. It helps uncover patterns of interaction, turn-taking strategies, the negotiation of meaning, and how conversations are organized to achieve various communicative goals.
Worksheet
Title: Analyzing Conversations as Discourse
Instructions:
Read the conversations below and answer the questions based on the principles of conversation as discourse.
Conversation 1:
Participants: Mark and Lisa
Mark: Did you catch the game last night?
Lisa: No, I missed it. How did it go?
Mark: It was incredible! Our team won in the final minutes.
Lisa: That's amazing! Who scored the winning goal?
Mark: It was Johnson. He made a fantastic shot from outside the penalty area.
Conversation 2:
Participants: Emily and Jake
Emily: Hey, Jake. I heard you went on a vacation. How was it?
Jake: It was fantastic! We went to Hawaii and spent most of our time on the beach.
Emily: That sounds relaxing. Did you try any water sports?
Jake: Yes, we went snorkelling and even tried surfing for the first time.
Emily: Wow, that must have been an exciting experience. Did you manage to stand on the surfboard?
Jake: Yes, after a few attempts, I finally caught a wave and stood up!
Questions:
1. Identify the participants in each conversation.
2. Describe the topic progression in each conversation. How does the conversation move from one topic to another?
3. Explain how turn-taking is evident in the conversations. Who initiates the conversation and how do participants take turns?
4. Identify any examples of shared knowledge or presuppositions in the conversations.
5. Comment on the coherence and cohesion in the conversations. How do participants build on each other's contributions to maintain coherence?
6. Discuss any social roles or power dynamics that are evident in the conversations.
7. What goals or purposes do you think the participants are trying to achieve through these conversations?
Multiple Choice Questions
There are multiple-choice questions related to the concept of conversation as discourse along with their answers:
1. Which of the following best describes the conversation as discourse?
a) Analyzing individual statements in a conversation
b) Focusing on the overall structure and coherence of a conversation
c) Examining the content and context of each utterance in a conversation
d) Investigating the nonverbal cues in a conversation
Answer: b
2. What is the main emphasis in conversation as discourse?
a) Individual utterances
b) Social and cultural context
c) Nonverbal communication
d) Shared knowledge
Answer: b
3. Conversation as discourse involves analyzing:
a) Only the content of individual statements
b) The goals and beliefs of participants
c) The tone and pitch of participants' voices
d) Both individual utterances and the overall structure of the conversation
Answer: d
4. Turn-taking in conversation refers to:
a) Participants interrupting each other
b) Participants speaking at the same time
c) The way participants take turns to speak in a conversation
d) Participants using nonverbal cues to signal their desire to speak
Answer: c
5. Coherence in conversation refers to:
a) Participants agreeing on everything said
b) Participants sticking to a single topic throughout the conversation
c) The logical flow and understanding within a conversation
d) Participants using formal language and grammar in their statements
Answer: c
6. Which of the following is an example of topic management in conversation as discourse?
a) Participants speaking on unrelated topics
b) Participants frequently changing the subject
c) Participants sticking to a single topic throughout the conversation
d) Participants avoiding controversial topics
Answer: c
7. Shared knowledge in conversation refers to:
a) Participants having identical opinions
b) Participants using the same vocabulary
c) Participants assuming common understanding or cultural references
d) Participants avoiding complex topics
Answer: c
8. In conversation as discourse, social roles can be observed through:
a) Participants speaking in a formal tone
b) Participants taking turns to ask and answer questions
c) Participants using nonverbal cues to dominate the conversation
d) Participants using complex vocabulary and syntax
Answer: b
9. What does conversation as discourse aim to understand?
a) The individual perspectives of each participant
b) The impact of nonverbal communication on conversations
c) The underlying principles and patterns of interaction in conversations
d) The emotional state of participants during conversations
Answer: c
10. Which of the following is a key aspect of conversation as discourse?
a) Analyzing conversations in isolation from their social context
b) Focusing solely on the words spoken by participants
c) Examining the cultural background of each participant
d) Analyzing the overall structure and organization of conversations
Answer: d
11. The goal of analyzing conversations as discourse is to:
a) Understand the psychological state of participants
b) Determine the effectiveness of nonverbal communication
c) Uncover the social, cultural, and cognitive aspects of communication
d) Identify grammatical errors in participants' statements
Answer: c
12. Which of the following is a characteristic of conversation as discourse?
a) Participants speaking simultaneously
b) Participants using formal language at all times
c) Participants building on each other's contributions
d) Participants avoiding personal topics
Answer: c
Short Question Answers
1. What is the conversation as discourse?
Answer: Conversation as discourse is the study of conversations as a whole, focusing on their structure, coherence, and interaction patterns.
2. What does conversation as discourse analyze?
Answer: It analyzes the overall organization, turn-taking, topic management, shared knowledge, and social roles within a conversation.
3. What is the role of coherence in conversation?
Answer: Coherence ensures logical flow and understanding within a conversation, allowing participants to connect and make sense of each other's contributions.
4. How does conversation as discourse differ from analyzing individual utterances?
Answer: Conversation as discourse goes beyond individual statements, analyzing the collective interaction and structure of the conversation.
5. What is turn-taking in conversation?
Answer: Turn-taking refers to the practice of participants taking turns to speak in a conversation, ensuring equal participation and orderly communication.
6. How do participants manage topics in a conversation?
Answer: Participants manage topics by introducing, maintaining, and transitioning between different subjects throughout the conversation.
7. What is the significance of shared knowledge in conversation?
Answer: Shared knowledge allows participants to assume common understanding and cultural references, facilitating effective communication and coherence.
8. What are social roles in conversation as discourse?
Answer: Social roles refer to the positions and responsibilities participants assume during a conversation, such as a questioner, responder, or facilitator.
9. What does conversation as discourse aim to uncover?
Answer: It aims to uncover the underlying principles, patterns, and goals that shape communication in conversations.
10. How does conversation as discourse consider the social and cultural context?
Answer: It recognizes that conversations are influenced by participants' social and cultural backgrounds, shaping their language use and interaction styles.
11. What role does nonverbal communication play in conversation as discourse?
Answer: Nonverbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions, contributes to the overall meaning and understanding in conversations.
12. Why is analyzing conversation as discourse important?
Answer: It provides insights into the social dynamics, cognitive processes, and shared understanding that occur during communication, enhancing our understanding of human interaction.
13. What is the main focus of conversation as discourse?
Answer: The main focus is on the organization and coherence of a conversation, rather than the individual content of each statement.
14. How do participants build coherence in a conversation?
Answer: Participants build coherence by linking their contributions, referring back to previous statements, and ensuring their statements align with the overall topic or purpose.
15. What are the goals of participants in a conversation?
Answer: Participants engage in conversations to exchange information, express opinions, build relationships, negotiate meaning, and achieve specific communicative goals.
Long Questions
1. How does conversation as discourse consider the cultural and social context of a conversation, and why is it important to analyze these factors?
2. Discuss the role of turn-taking in conversation as discourse. How does turn-taking contribute to the organization and coherence of a conversation? Provide examples to support your answer.
3. Explain the concept of topic management in conversation as discourse. How do participants introduce, maintain, and transition between topics in a conversation? Illustrate your explanation with a real-life conversation example.
4. Analyze the concept of shared knowledge in conversation as discourse. How does shared knowledge contribute to the effectiveness and understanding of a conversation? Provide examples to illustrate your point.
5. Discuss the significance of social roles in conversation as discourse. How do social roles shape the dynamics and power distribution within a conversation? Provide examples to support your argument.
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