Exploring Forms and Functions in Telephone
Conversation Closings
Hao Sun, Department of English and
Linguistics, Indiana-Purdue Univer
Abstract The study of telephone communication constitutes an
important aspect of pragmatics and cultural studies. Research on telephone
conversation conducted in different languages have reported cultural
variations (e.g. Houtkoop-Steenstra 1991; Lindstrom 1994; Pavlidou 1994;
Sifianou 1989; Sun 2002, 2004). However, most of the research has focused
on the opening phase of telephone calls, with the exception of a few
studies (e.g. Pavlidou 1998; Sun, 1998, 2004b). Ordinary as they may seem
to be, closings are a delicate matter both technically and socially, as
pointed out by Levinson (1983).
The purpose of this study is to
provide a descriptive account of how female native speakers of Chinese
bring telephone calls (between familiar parties) to an end linguistically,
structurally, and interactively; it also intends to uncover pragmatic and
cultural conventions constitutive of such verbal behavior. The research
questions are the following: How do native speakers of Chinese complete
telephone closings in non-institutional settings? Specifically, what
linguistic forms are used to indicate one’s intention to close? How are
closings accomplished interactively?
Data base of this study
consists of thirty-nine audio-taped naturalistic telephone calls recorded
by six Chinese women residing in China. The choice of female participants
was intentional to reduce potential variables as much as possible in light
of reported gender differences in language use. Results from follow-up
interviews with participants are also incorporated. In addition, for
comparative purposes, the presenter draws on analyses of fifty-seven
comparable naturalistic calls recorded by native speakers of American
English.
Observed patterns render the following findings: First,
initiation of closing in Chinese is often realized through a type of
matter-of-fact statement, which explicitly conveys one’s intention to end
the call. Secondly, verbalized thanking occurs between familiar parties
but not between very close relations (e.g. in mother-daughter
conversations). Thirdly, the archetype of closing (a four-turn exchange)
proposed by Button (1987) does not form a dominant pattern in Chinese
telephone conversation closings between familiar parties. In addition, in
most of the calls, leave-taking is not accomplished in the form of an
adjacency pair as is the case in English, presenting evidence of
cross-cultural variation. Lastly, overlap and repetition is the norm
rather than the exception.
Incorporating a functional perspective
to the examination of conversational interaction, the presenter provides
descriptions and analyses of how conversation partners successfully
accomplish ideational, interpersonal, and textual functions (Halliday
1973) through the use of linguistic devices and interactional strategies,
exploring the interrelation between forms (linguistic and structural) and
functions. Issues of politeness will also be addressed.
In
conclusion, ideational, interpersonal, and textual functions of language
reflect fundamental characteristics and meanings of language in different
cultures; yet how these functions are accmplished linguistically,
pragmatically, and interactively can be culture-specific.
Not available
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