Ayass2025a

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Ayass2025a
BibType ARTICLE
Key Ayass2025a
Author(s) Ruth Ayaß
Title Talking about the future in projective genres
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, Communicative genres, Projective genres, communicative fabrication of future, Planning, Conversation analysis, Genre analysis, Modal verbs, When-then constructions, In press
Publisher
Year 2025
Language English
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Journal Discourse Studies
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Pages
URL Link
DOI 10.1177/14614456251394890
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Howpublished
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Abstract

From narrative research, we know how the past is reconstructed in narratives. But we also have consolidated forms of communication to talk about the future. These forms are discussed in this article as “projective genres.” First, the concept of communicative genres is presented, and its theoretical background and central concepts are explained. The empirical analysis shows which communicative means the anticipation of the future uses: tasks are distributed, action steps are defined, and responsibilities are assigned. Actors use modals verbs and when-then constructions to accomplish this. After the empirical analysis, the question is discussed of which specific communicative problems this way of speaking about the future solves: on the one hand, projective genres gradually reduce uncertainty; they anticipate and structure a future event. On the other hand, they provide certainty of action. Because projective genres typically appear as a series – the future plan of action is repeatedly addressed and thus kept relevant and current. The analysis is based on empirical data (audio and video recordings from everyday contexts); genre analysis and conversation analysis are used as a method.

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