CONVERSATION AND PREFERENCE STRUCTURE

ASSIGNMENT

Pragmatics

Group:

BAYUMI ADITYA
GINO ALI
NINDI EKA
LIVIA OCTAVIANI J.

ENGLISH LETTER

COLLEGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE

(STIBA) PERSADA BUNDA
PEKANBARU
2019
 Conversation and preference structure

Basically, the structure of the talk, the basic pattern of ‘I speak-you speak-I speak –you
speak’, will derive from that fundamental kind of interaction we acquire first and use most
often.

1. Conversation Analysis
Floor à people have the right to speak when they get communication or interaction
Turn à having control
Turn-Taking à anyone can attempt to get control, Turn-taking
It operates in social action and accordance with local management system (which is
conventionally known by members of a social group).
Conversation à change – of – turn à TRP1
When speakers do taking turn at holding the floor in communication, they cooperate
and share equally. It can also be used to described those conversation where speakers seem
to be in competition, fighting to keep the floor and preventing others to getting it, they are
difference from one social group,

2. Pauses
A speaker is silence (2.5-3 seconds) at the time of speaking.
This interaction between a student and his friend’s father during their first meeting.
Example:
Mr. Strait : What’s your major Dave?
Dave : English- well I haven’t really decided yet.
(3 seconds)
Mr. Strait : So- you want to be a teacher?
Dave : No-not really-well not if I can help it.
(2.5 seconds)
Mr Strait : Wha-// Where do you--- go ahead
Dave : I mean it’s a – oh sorry // I em---
Based on the interaction above between Mr. Strait and Dave, there is short pauses (marked
with a dash) are simply hesitations, but longer pauses becomes silences.

3. Overlaps (//) double slash

Both speakers are trying to speak at the same time.
Example
Min : Did you see him in the video?
Wendy: Yeah–the part of the beach.
Min : Oh my good // he was so sexy.
Wendy: he was just being so cool.
Min : And all the waves // crashing around him
Wendy: yeah that was really wild.
There are other kinds of overlap and they are interpreted differently. For many speakers;
overlapped talk appears to function like an expression of solidarity or closeness in expressing
similiar opinions or values. As shhown the conversation above.
In example below overlap communicates competition.
Joe : What they were in
// power las– wait CAN I FINISH!
Jerry : that’s my points I said–
This is a clear interruption and breaks the ‘rules’,

4. Backchannels
Including head nods, smiles and other facial expressions and gestures but most common
vocal indications.
The purpose à giving feedback
This is very significant such as:
in face – to – face, the listener with:
- holding agreement
- leading an inference of disagreement
in the telephone conversation
to determine that the listener is still there,
Example:
Caller: if you use long distance service a lot then you will
Marry: uh-uh
Caller: be interested in the discount I’m talking about because
Marry: yeah
Caller: it can only save you money to switch to a cheaper service
Marry: mmm,
The signals (‘uh-uh’,’yeah’,’mmm’) provide feedback to the current speaker that the message
is being received. This indicates that the listener is following, and not objeting to, what the
speaker is saying.

5. Conversation Style
There are two conversation styles that are a high involvement style and a high
considerateness style.
a. A high involvement style, where participation from some individuals in a conversation
will be very relatively fast, with almost no pausing between turns, and with some overlap or
even completion of the other’s turn.
b. A high considerateness style, in this style speakers use a slower rate, expect longer
pauses between turns, do not overlap, and avoid interruption or completion of the other’s turn
(non-interrupting, non-imposing style)

6. Adjacency Pairs
Sequences of two utterances, they always consist of a first part and second part, produced by
different speakers.
Example:
First Part Second part
Anna: Hello Bill: Hi
Anna: How are you? Bill: Fine
Anna: See ya! Bill: Bye
Other types of adjacency pairs are illustrated in question-answer sequence, thanking-
response, and request-accept.
Example:
First part second part
A: What time is it? B: About eight thirty
A: Thanks B: You’re welcome
A: Could you help me with this? B: Sure

7. Preference Structure
Basiclly, a first part that contains a request or an offer is typically made in the expectation
that the second part will be an acceptance. an acceptance is structurally more likely than a
refusal. This structurally is called preference.

Preference structure divides second parts into preferred and dispreferred social acts.
Note:
• a’sentence is request
• b’ sentence is an offer
• c’s sentence is an assessment
• d’s sentence is a proposal
Example dispreferred:
Becky : Come over for some coffee later.
Wally : oh-eh- I’d love to-but you see-I-I’m supposed to get this finished – you know
• The wally’s expression of refusal can be accomplished without saying ‘No’.
Note:
Preference shown acceptances such as: yes, agree, accept, etc.
Disprefferes shown refusal, the signals: no, pause; er; em; ah well;oh, I’m not sure; I don’t
know, that’s great; I’d love to, I’m sorry; what a pity, I must do X; I’m expected in Y, You
see; you know, everybody else; out there, too much work; no time left, really; mostly; sort of;
kinda, I guess not; not possible