Talk in Action examines the language, identity, and interaction of social institutions, introducing students to the research methodology of Conversation Analysis.

* Features a unique focus on real-world applications of CA by examining four institutional domains: calls to emergency numbers, doctor-patient interaction, courtroom trials, and mass communication,

* Provides a theoretical and methodological overview of the roots of CA, reviewing the main developments and findings of research on talk and social institutions conducted over the past 25 years

* Showcases the significance of this subject to everyday events, making it ideal for students coming to the field for the first time

* Written by two leading figures in the field of Conversation Analysis

John Heritage is Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles. His publications include Garfinkel and Ethnomethodology (1984) and Communication in Medical Care: Interaction between Primary Care Physicians and Patients (2006).

Klappentext
Talk in Action explores the workings of language and interaction in the everyday life of institutions. In doing so, it introduces students to the methodology of Conversation Analysis (CA) and its applications in the real world.

Beginning with a theoretical and methodological overview of the roots of CA, the book explores the intersections between interactional practices, social identities, and institutional tasks. By focusing on four institutional domains emergency telephone calls, doctorpatient interactions, law courts, and mass communication the authors showcase the significance of CA research in areas that have deep impact and significance in our daily lives.

This expanding, dynamic field crosses the boundaries of subjects such as linguistics, sociology, and communication studies. Talk in Action provides a necessarily interdisciplinary overview of Conversation Analysis, using a unique focus on real-world applications to provide an engaging and accessible introduction.

Talk in Action examines the language, identity, and interaction of social institutions, introducing students to the research methodology of Conversation Analysis.

• Features a unique focus on real-world applications of CA by examining four institutional domains: calls to emergency numbers, doctor-patient interaction, courtroom trials, and mass communication,
• Provides a theoretical and methodological overview of the roots of CA, reviewing the main developments and findings of research on talk and social institutions conducted over the past 25 years
• Showcases the significance of this subject to everyday events, making it ideal for students coming to the field for the first time
• Written by two leading figures in the field of Conversation Analysis

1 Introduction 1

Part 1 Conversation Analysis and Social Institutions 5

2 Conversation Analysis: Some Theoretical Background 7

3 Talking Social Institutions into Being 20

4 Dimensions of Institutional Talk 34

Part 2 Calls for Emergency Service 51

5 Emergency Calls as Institutional Talk 53

6 Gatekeeping and Entitlement to Emergency Service 69

7 Emergency Calls under Stress 87

Part 3 DoctorPatient Interaction 101

8 Patients' Presentations of Medical Issues: The Doctor's Problem 103

9 Patients' Presentations of Medical Issues: The Patient's Problem 119

10 History Taking in Medicine: Questions and Answers 135

11 Diagnosis and Treatment: Medical Authority and Its Limits 154

Part 4 Trials, Juries, and Dispute Resolution 171

12 Trial Examinations 173

13 Jury Deliberations 186

14 Informal Modes of Dispute Resolution 200

Part 5 News and Political Communication 213

15 News Interview Turn Taking 215

16 Question Design in the News Interview and Beyond 227

17 Answers and Evasions 245

18 Interaction en Masse: Audiences and Speeches 263

19 Conclusion 280

Transcript Symbols 283

References 288

Index of Names 304

Index of Subjects 309