Gibson2005a
| Gibson2005a | |
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| BibType | ARTICLE |
| Key | Gibson2005a |
| Author(s) | David R. Gibson |
| Title | Opportunistic interruptions: interactional vulnerabilities deriving from linearization |
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| Tag(s) | EMCA, Interruptions, Press briefings, Courtroom Interaction |
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| Year | 2005 |
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| Journal | Social Psychology Quarterly |
| Volume | 68 |
| Number | 4 |
| Pages | 316–337 |
| URL | Link |
| DOI | 10.1177/019027250506800402 |
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Abstract
Speaking involves “linearizing” a message into a string of words. This process leaves us vulnerable to being interrupted in such a way that the aborted turn is a misrepresentation of the intended message. Further, because we linearize our messages in standard ways, we are recurrently vulnerable to interruptions at particular turn-construction junctures, and consequently to recurrent types of self-misrepresentation. These vulnerabilities can be exploited strategically when an interrupter responds to the truncated turn in a way that might not have been possible if the turn had run to completion: I refer to interruptions of this sort as “opportunistic.” I explore the connection between linearization and opportunistic interruptions using data from two institutional settings characterized by confrontational exchanges: Supreme Court oral arguments and Pentagon press briefings. The extracts illustrate how speakers open themselves to opportunistic interruptions through projection of incipient options, actions, reasons, consequences, opinions, and restrictions.
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