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.

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