An Introduction to Interaction: Understanding Talk in Formal and Informal Settings

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Description

This textbook provides an in-depth introduction to the theoretical perspectives and methods of doing conversation analysis, an approach to the study of talk in interaction which grew out of the work of Garfinkel, Sacks, Schegloff, and Jefferson. This book is unique in that it provides comprehensive instruction in both interaction in ordinary conversations in everyday life as well as talk in institutional settings and a wide range of workplace and business interactions, while teaching both major research findings and how to conduct conversation analytic research. The book is designed to be useful for students of linguistics, sociology, and communication studies, and is written in clear and accessible prose. The Companion Website provides additional resources for instructors, such as questions and data excerpts for tests and in class exercises, audio and video clips for transcription practice, and guides for instructors on a range of topics covered in the course.

Reviews

[A]n important textbook that engages closely with theoretical and practical aspects of CA. The book is very 'user-friendly' and approaches its subject matter from a straightforward and common sense point of view. No doubt, this book will be of interest to students of sociology, linguistics and communication studies. * Discourse Studies *
[A] comprehensive guide for (mainly, but not only) linguistics, sociology, communication and even business students ... [The book] could be used autonomously by students ... [as well as] in class ... Each of the chapters is written in an understandable way using a clear and simple style. * Language Value *
This comprehensive yet-easy-to-read guide will be a boon to any student struggling with the concepts and methods of Conversation Analysis. The coverage is admirably wide without sacrificing depth - a must-have for the student and teacher of language in interaction. -- Charles Antaki, Professor of Language and Social Psychology, Loughborough University, UK
I am very favorably impressed with this volume. The book is organized well. It addresses a wide variety of contexts, and the writing is clear and cogent. Prof. Garcia has a masterful command of the conversation analysis (CA) literature, and it shows in the writing. I would definitely use this in my classes on ethnomethodology, language and social interaction, and organizational discourse analysis. Without question, I believe that this volume will enable beginning students and scholars to learn how to do CA and develop an initial understanding of the theoretical commitments associated with ethnomethodology. I predict that this volume will be widely embraced by the CA community, if not the discourse community more generally. It is absolutely first rate. -- Gail T. Fairhurst, Professor of Communication, University of Cincinnati, USA
Angela Cora Garcia has succeeded in producing an absorbing, comprehensive and accessible introduction to conversation analysis.This lively textbook presents the principles and techniques of studying real spoken interaction using an array of examples from casual conversation to business meetings and covering a range of languages including Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and French.Key issues and theories are clearly presented and there are questions and tasks which encourage readers to collect and analyze spoken data for themselves. The book will be extremely useful to students in a range of undergraduate courses dealing with spoken discourse. -- Ken Hyland, Chair of Applied Linguistics and Director of the Centre for Applied English Studies, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
A fine introduction to Conversation Analysis, its theoretical underpinnings and its methodology with particular value for those studying various work settings, communication, and everyday interaction. -- George Psathas, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Boston University, USA
This is the best possible introduction to conversation analysis. With its elaborate terminology, CA can be intimidating to the uninitiated. However, this Intro to CA with all of its examples, activities, super clear explanations of major concepts, and its overall organization is everything a textbook should be. I cant wait to use it with my students! -- Camilla Vsquez, University of South Florida

Author Bio

Angela Cora Garcia is Associate Professor of Sociology at Bentley University, USA.