<p>“Overall, I was very favorably impressed by Conversation Analysis: An Introduction . . . n its own terms, I<br /> particularly liked the straightforward, accessible style that Sidnell uses to discuss complex ideas and materials.” (<i>Journal of Sociolinguistics</i>, 1 February 2013)</p> <p>“To conclude, this introduction is a rich source of authentic examples and will serve interested students and scholars very well.” (<i>Discourse and Communication</i>, 1 November 2012)</p> "The book is overall an excellent introductory text for the undergraduate level ... On the whole, the book provides a good foundation for a student entering the field, with the main concepts and questions of CA discussed in an informal and engaging way." (Discourse Studies, 2011) <p>"The interdisciplinary research method and field of conversation analysis (CA) is remarkably well-suited to helping teachers achieve this objective, because CA provides tools that enable first the perception, and then the scientific description and analysis of regular patterns of human social conduct - patterns that organize, and make meaningful, the world of everyday life." (Language in Society, 2011)</p>
- Introduces the main findings, methods and analytic techniques of conversation analysis (CA) – a growing interdisciplinary field exploring language and social interaction
- Provides an engaging historical overview of the field, along with detailed coverage of the key findings in each area of CA and a guide to current research
- Examines the way talk is composed, and how conversation structures highlight aspects of human behavior
- Focuses on the most important domains of organization in conversation, including turn-taking, action sequencing, repair, stories, openings and closings, and the effect of context
- Includes real-life examples and step-by-step explanations, making it an ideal guide for students navigating this growing field
Acknowledgements vii
Transcription Conventions ix
1 Talk 1
2 Methods 20
3 Turn-Taking 36
4 Action and Understanding 59
5 Preference 77
6 Sequence 95
7 Repair 110
8 Turn Construction 139
9 Stories 174
10 Openings and Closings 197
11 Topic 223
12 Context 245
13 Conclusion 258
References 271
Index 281
The book provides a picture of the way talk is composed, beginning with an overview and brief historical sketch of the field of conversation analysis (CA) and the key research methods it uses. It focuses on the most important domains of organization in conversation, including turn-taking, action sequencing, repair, stories, openings and closings ;, and explores the effect of context through a review of foundational studies and contemporary work. Sidnell provides both an overview of the key findings in each area of CA and a guide to current research. Ideal for students of linguistics, sociology, and anthropology, this volume expertly navigates the main findings of this growing field.
—Elaine Vine, Victoria University of Wellington
“This is a comprehensive, authoritative yet accessible introduction to Conversation Analysis. Sidnell captures so well both the analytic mentality of CA, and the complexity and sheer contingency of ordinary conversation.”
—Paul Drew, University of York