The Study of Formulations as a Key to an Interactional Semantics

Abstract

As an Introduction to the Special Issue on ''Formulation, generalization, and abstraction in interaction,'' this paper discusses key problems of a conversation analytic (CA) approach to semantics in interaction. Prior research in CA and Interactional Linguistics has only rarely dealt with issues of linguistic meaning in interaction. It is argued that this is a consequence of limitations of sequential analysis to capture meaning in interaction. While sequential analysis remains the encompassing methodological framework, it is suggested that it needs to be complemented by analyzing semantic relationships between choices of formulation in the interaction, ethnography, and structural techniques of comparing selected options with possible alternatives. The paper describes the methodological approach taken to interactional semantics by the papers in the Special Issue, which analyse practices of generalization and abstraction in interaction as they are accomplished by formulations of prior versions of reference and description.

Delaying moving away: Place, mobility, and the multimodal organization of activities

“…The phenomenon of walking away that we focus on occurs at possible completion points of turns-at-talk, and, more particularly, at turns achieving possible sequence closing. In this sequential environment, various options are available to the participants, which can be locally implemented but, interestingly enough, also formulated, in the sense of Garfinkel and Sacks (1970) of "saying-in-so-many words-what we-are-doing" (see also Deppermann, 2011).…”

Radio Sensors and Electric Storms: Scientific Metaphors in Media Talks

“…Conversation Analysis (CA) is geared at discovering how participants understand and respond to one another in their turns at talk (Heritage, 2008). Though research in CA has only rarely dealt with issues of linguistic meaning in interactions, semantic work can be evidenced when participants specify, generalize, correct or negotiate some expression or description produced in a prior turn (Deppermann, 2011). Through their talk, speakers can display aspects of their understanding of what has been referred to in the immediately preceding turn or what has occurred earlier or elsewhere that nonetheless figures in the turn's talk (Schegloff, 1992).…”

Metacommunication in the judiciary field: formulations. A proposal for cataloging and an approach to facework in institutional contexts

“…Fueron estos dos últimos estudiosos mencionados quienes introdujeron la noción de metacomunicación para indicar la actividad de un interlocutor orientada a ocupar un momento de la conversación como ocasión de descripción, caracterización, explicitación, traducción, síntesis y de manifestación de su (in)coherencia con respecto a las reglas conversacionales (Orletti, 2000;Drew, 2003;Van der Houwen, 2009;Deppermann, 2011).…”