Interaction ensemble: The multimodal accomplishment of participation
| Panel: | P54 - Space as resource and achievement |
| Author: | Schmitt, Reinhold |
| Abstract: | |
| Participation is of central relevance both for the empirical analysis and the conceptualization of interaction. Rooted in the work of Goffman (1981), Levinson (1988) and Goodwin (1986) participation will be addressed from a multimodal perspective on interaction (Schmitt 2007). The notion of interaction ensemble is offered as an answer to the problem of participation in multi party situations. It is designed as a theoretical framework for the integration of all participants that contribute to interaction. Besides speaking, gazing, head moving, gesticulating, body orienting and positioning are considered as relevant contributions as well. Thus, verbal abstinence can be treated as a relevant form of participation. The presentation will be based on the analysis of a video extract taken from a film set. It shows the cooperation of certain members of the film crew: The director explains in detail how an actor should act in the next scene. Two other participants (a second actor and the directing assistant) are constantly oriented towards this verbal dyad. Both are verbally abstinent, but produce manifold bodily and spatial displays to indicate that they are following the verbal exchange. Adopting CA methodology, the presentation will analyze these bodily displays. It will end up with the presentation of two verbal abstinent participation profiles. |
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