Ritual Constraints
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This document discusses differences in communication styles across cultures. It notes that the expectations for turn-taking during conversations as well as the lengths of gaps between turns can vary between languages and cultures. More importantly, it is the social interpretations of these small differences that matter. The document also discusses how overlaps during conversations can signal encouragement and participation. Finally, it explains that using the wrong register of speech, such as too formal of articulation among friends, can lead to social consequences according to accommodation theory.
Ritual Constraints
- 2. In communication, we expect to receive our fair share of turns at talk. That “Fair” is different across culture. The gaps, or small silences, between turns at talk also differ across language and culture. What is important is not differences in length of gaps but the social interpretation made of this small difference.
- 3. Overlaps • Where overlaps signal encouragement • Where there are lots of collaborative completion • Where everyone “chimes in” as a story is told Overlaps > Let the speaker know that she or he is not talking to the wall – everyone is participating.
- 5. Social consequences are obvious when messages are either too acoustically adequate or acoustically inadequate. For examples, in ordinary conversation, friends use a relaxed register of speech where careful enunciation is not demanded. In fact, if they enunciate each other clearly, or if they are unable to match the general articulation patterns of those around them, there are sure to be social consequences. Beebe and G9les (1984) with “Gile’s Accommodation Theory – A theory which shows that people try to match the language of the whom they interact as much as possible in order to show that they are aligned identify with that social group. Related to the adjustment are being made, most language learners quite aware because registers may have deleterious social consequences. But, when registers are used in a thoughtful and help manner, both partners take part in a benevolent conspiracy to mask any inadequacies that take place during communication.