Nonformal institutional interaction in a conversation club

Conversation partners’ questions

Authors

  • Eric Hauser University of Electro-Communications, Chofugaoka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/japl.v5i3.275

Keywords:

conversation analysis, nonformal institutional interaction, conversation club, serial-questioning, pivoting

Abstract

The data analyzed in this paper come from audio-recorded interaction among first and second language speakers of English at a conversation club sponsored by an English language school. As the analysis shows, the interaction in the conversation club can be understood as a type of non-formal institutional interaction. The analysis focuses on the questions asked by the first language speakers, or conversation partners. In particular, it focuses on the questioning styles of serial-questioning and pivoting. In addition, the conversation partners tend to assume a discourse identity as primary participant within the participation framework, a discourse identity that they work to maintain and, when necessary, re-establish. As non-formal institutional interaction, it does not involve turn pre-allocation or restrictions on the type of turn that participants may take. It is, though, oriented toward the fulfilment of institutionally relevant goals.

Author Biography

  • Eric Hauser, University of Electro-Communications, Chofugaoka

    Eric Hauser received his PhD in Second Language Acquisition from the University of Hawai’i and is currently an associate professor at the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo, Japan, and member of the Affiliate Graduate Faculty of the University of Hawai’i.

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Published

2015-09-14

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Hauser, E. (2015). Nonformal institutional interaction in a conversation club: Conversation partners’ questions. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Professional Practice, 5(3), 275-295. https://doi.org/10.1558/japl.v5i3.275

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