Analyzing Casual Conversation [Paperback]

Suzanne Eggins (Author), Diana Slade (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0304337285 | ISBN-13: 978-0304337286 | Publication Date: December 1996

This book develops a systematic model for the analyses and description of casual conversation in English. Working through examples of casual conversations, the authors argue that despite its sometimes aimless appearance and apparently unstructured content, casual conversation is a highly structured semantic activity and plays a critical role in the social construction of reality. Drawing on insights from sociological, linguistic and critical semiotic perspectives on interaction, the book aims to equip readers with the analytic skills to describe the different layers of structure, and critical interpretive framework within which to explain the 'social work' that goes on through chat. Casual conversations are identified as everyday verbal interactions in which talk seems to be an end in itself, for example, getting together with friends over coffee or diner and just 'having a chat'. In seeking to understand how language enables us to participate in casual conversation, and the role such interactions play in our formation as social agents, the book progressively introduces successive levels of analytical techniques. Organised from a micro- to macro- focus, the techniques provide a cumulative account of conversational patterns at grammatical, semantic, discourse and contextual levels. At each level, techniques are presented and exemplified on authentic conversational excerpts, involving participants differing in age, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic class. The book begins by distinguishing varieties of everyday talk and briefly reviewing relevant approaches to conversation/discourse analysis. Subsequent chapters detail each of the analytical techniques, beginning with grammatical patterns (types of clauses). At the semantic level, analysis covers attitudinal and intensifying lexis, use of strategies to create intimacy, and the role of humour in casual interactions. The turn-taking structure of casual talk is described through the analysis of 'moves' interactants make (how they act on each other). Finally, the book presents descriptions of some common conversational genres such as story-telling and gossiping. By the end of the book, readers will be in a position to analyze and explain the social purpose and the linguistic characteristics of samples of casual conversation from contexts of relevance to them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Notably well-organized and clearly written, this book shows the reader not only how to carry out a systematic analysis but also what questions might be illuminated by doing so...All in all, Suzanne Eggins and Diana Slade have produced a valuable resource for students, teachers and researchers interested in the language and meanings of casual conversation.' Deborah Cameron 'The wide range of relevant phenomena covered and the commitment to theoretical consistency combine very effectively to yield an intellectually exciting book...I have found that students tune in exceptionally well to Eggins' and Slade's style of presentation -Analysing Casual Conversation is my favourite on the topic at the moment.' Erich Steiner 'The reader-friendly construction of the book is one of its most valuable characteristics. Because of this construction, the insights contained in the material are made available both for theoretical pursuit within the academy and for more practical application in the classroom' Susan Feez, Education Australia Online --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Suzanne Eggins is Senior Lecturer in the School of English, University of New South Wales, Sydney.Diana Slade is Professor of Applied Linguistics in the Faculty of Education at the University of Technology, Sydney. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Continuum Intl Pub Group (Sd) (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0304337285
• ISBN-13: 978-0304337286
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,421,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to read important to use, January 26, 2010

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This review is from: Analysing Casual Conversation (Paperback)

For teachers of second language to adult learners this book is valuable as it catches important traits of the spoken everyday language - so hard to describe and still the water in which we all swim. It is also very valuable as an introduction to Systemic Functional Grammar and other ways to describe every day language. And what is appreciated by me, who do not master English perfectly myself: It is easy to read and understand.