Scribd
Upload
1K views

Discourse As Dialogue Part 1

This document discusses dialogue and reciprocity in discourse. It states that dialogue comes before other forms of communication developmentally, as turn-taking is one of the first skills learned. All discourse contains elements of dialogue and reciprocity to varying degrees, even that which is considered non-reciprocal like books or messages sent into space. Reciprocal discourse allows for interaction between participants, while non-reciprocal discourse does not provide opportunity for feedback, though absolute non-reciprocity may not exist.

Uploaded by

Jorace Martini Ballovar Dayrit
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1K views

Discourse As Dialogue Part 1

This document discusses dialogue and reciprocity in discourse. It states that dialogue comes before other forms of communication developmentally, as turn-taking is one of the first skills learned. All discourse contains elements of dialogue and reciprocity to varying degrees, even that which is considered non-reciprocal like books or messages sent into space. Reciprocal discourse allows for interaction between participants, while non-reciprocal discourse does not provide opportunity for feedback, though absolute non-reciprocity may not exist.

Uploaded by

Jorace Martini Ballovar Dayrit
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 37

discourse

as
Introduction:
• Techniques of analysis has been given
to answer “what gives language their
meaning and unity?”
• (i.e., Formal Links, Hierarchy in
Discourse, Conversational
Mechanisms.)
Introduction:
• These techniques though are “severely
limited” (Cook, 1997)
• Even if some of these approaches are
applicable to discourse in general,
“conversation analysis”, by definition
seems only limited to spoken discourse.
Introduction:
• However, the mutual construction of
discourse and its effects, are far
more widely applicable.
• Dialogue is the fundamental
structuring principles of ALL
discourse, written and spoken alike.
Dialogue in
communicative
development:
Dialogue in communicative development:

• Developmentally, dialogue comes first.


• It seems reasonable to assume that
speech preceded writing and dialogue
preceded monologue.
Dialogue in communicative development:

• Turn-taking and interaction are among


the first communicative skills we learn
as individuals.
• Parents hold ‘conversations’ even with
very young babies.
Dialogue in communicative development:

• e.g., ‘dialogue’ between a mother and


her two-month-old daughter:
Dialogue in communicative development:
Dialogue in communicative development:
Dialogue in communicative development:
Dialogue in communicative development:
Dialogue in communicative development:
Dialogue in communicative development:
Dialogue in communicative development:
Dialogue in communicative development:

• Here the mother is ‘interpreting’ the


child’s earliest noises as ‘turns’.
Dialogue in communicative development:

• This phenomenon has led researchers to


wonder whether “turn-taking”
mechanisms might be the “initial
framework” into which the child
gradually fills in the detail of language;
working top-down instead of bottom-up.
Discourse
typology:
reciprocity
Discourse typology: reciprocity

• There are two fundamental types of


discourse: reciprocal and non-
reciprocal.
Discourse typology: reciprocity

• Reciprocal: When there is at least


potential for interaction
(e.g. face-to-face)
Discourse typology: reciprocity

• Interaction: when sender can monitor


reception and adjust to it; or when the
receiver can influence the development
of what is being said.
Discourse typology: reciprocity

• Non-reciprocal: Sender and receiver


have no opportunity for interaction
(e.g. book by a dead author)
Discourse typology: reciprocity

• First, there are many “intermediate”


cases of discourse concerning
reciprocity.
Discourse typology: reciprocity

• Second, ABSOLUTE non-reciprocal


discourse is unlikely.
Discourse typology: reciprocity

1. Writers in solitude form some


idea of their audience so they can
adjust to it.
Discourse typology: reciprocity

2. People on television behave as though


they are interacting with us. Our
response, although indirect, can still be
noted when we turn off the TV, switch
the channel, etc. and TV programs are
influenced by viewer’s ratings.
Discourse typology: reciprocity

TASK: Scale of 1 to Reciprocal

non-reciprocal reciprocal

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Discourse typology: reciprocity

TV news broadcast
Discourse typology: reciprocity

church service
Discourse typology: reciprocity

a message beamed
into outer space in
search of intelligent
life
Discourse typology: reciprocity

a letter
Discourse typology: reciprocity

testimony in court
Discourse typology: reciprocity

Chat with next-door


neighbor
Discourse typology: reciprocity

Reciprocity is a question of degree.


All discourse is more or less reciprocal.
Discourse typology: reciprocity

Even if there is a general tendency that


writing tends to be less reciprocal than
speech, this is by no means true.
discourse
as

You might also like