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1. A continuum of approaches to dialogue

  • Lidia Rodríguez-Alfano
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Dialogue in Spanish
This chapter is in the book Dialogue in Spanish

Abstract

Following a process of Derridean de-construction, this study reviews fundamental concepts and recent definitions of ‘dialogue’, which posit a simple polarity between micro and macro perspectives. Both are mutually rejected by proponents of opposing approaches as being ‘restricted’, ‘dispersive’ and ‘diffuse’. Instead, after reviewing proposals from Bakhtin, Benveniste, Halliday, Linell and Weigand, a continuum of epistemological functions is proposed, specifying different approaches to studies of dialogue. ‘Dialogue’ is then defined by its complexity and its mutual relationship to a multiplicity of relevant contexts. Thus, micro and macro perspectives become equally valid.

Abstract

Following a process of Derridean de-construction, this study reviews fundamental concepts and recent definitions of ‘dialogue’, which posit a simple polarity between micro and macro perspectives. Both are mutually rejected by proponents of opposing approaches as being ‘restricted’, ‘dispersive’ and ‘diffuse’. Instead, after reviewing proposals from Bakhtin, Benveniste, Halliday, Linell and Weigand, a continuum of epistemological functions is proposed, specifying different approaches to studies of dialogue. ‘Dialogue’ is then defined by its complexity and its mutual relationship to a multiplicity of relevant contexts. Thus, micro and macro perspectives become equally valid.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction vii
  4. 1. A continuum of approaches to dialogue 1
  5. Part I. Dialogue in interpersonal contexts of informal conversation
  6. 2. Dialogues within oral narratives 31
  7. 3. Being polite through irony 55
  8. 4. Humor in verbal irony 69
  9. 5. Evaluation, interpersonal meaning and co-construction in oral narratives by Mexican adolescents 89
  10. 6. The truth about verdad 117
  11. 7. Backchannels as a realization of interaction 137
  12. Part II. Dialogue in public, professional, and educational contexts
  13. 8. Dialogue in the dynamics of political practice 159
  14. 9. Conflict resolution 189
  15. 10. A discourse analysis of Alzheimer-type dementia in personal conversations 221
  16. 11. Triadic discourse 237
  17. 12. Behind L2 pragmatics 257
  18. Conclusions and implications of studies that approach dialogue in its complexity 283
  19. References 291
  20. General index 315
  21. List of contributors 321
https://doi.org/10.1075/ds.7.01rod

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction vii
  4. 1. A continuum of approaches to dialogue 1
  5. Part I. Dialogue in interpersonal contexts of informal conversation
  6. 2. Dialogues within oral narratives 31
  7. 3. Being polite through irony 55
  8. 4. Humor in verbal irony 69
  9. 5. Evaluation, interpersonal meaning and co-construction in oral narratives by Mexican adolescents 89
  10. 6. The truth about verdad 117
  11. 7. Backchannels as a realization of interaction 137
  12. Part II. Dialogue in public, professional, and educational contexts
  13. 8. Dialogue in the dynamics of political practice 159
  14. 9. Conflict resolution 189
  15. 10. A discourse analysis of Alzheimer-type dementia in personal conversations 221
  16. 11. Triadic discourse 237
  17. 12. Behind L2 pragmatics 257
  18. Conclusions and implications of studies that approach dialogue in its complexity 283
  19. References 291
  20. General index 315
  21. List of contributors 321
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