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The idea of lingual economy
Albert Weideman
The argument: point 1
Early, stylistic studies of conversation are wrong to imply that it is random and indeterminate.The order discovered by ethnomethodologists is still the best contradiction of this.
The argument: point 2
Though it has been contested, the idea of turn-taking as a means of effecting a lingual economyhas remained influential.
The argument: point 3
The main reason why it has remained influential is that the idea of lingual economy is a theoretical primitive.
The argument: point 4
Linguistics is one discipline, because linguistic primitives allow conceptualisationacross sub-disciplinary boundaries.Linguistics therefore needs foundational discussion.
A starting point…
The paper is neither pragmatics or linguistics, but about the foundations of linguistics.It assumes a set of foundational concepts or linguistic “primitives”.These make linguistic conceptualisationpossible.
Some examples of primitives
Lingual system (De Saussure)Lingual position and sequence (structuralism)Lingual constancy, recursiveness, movement(transformational grammar)Lingual acceptability, spheres of discourse
Some further assumptions
Linguistics is a single discipline because its field of study is not language, but the lingual dimension of reality.
Nothing is absolute…
…and everything is connected to everything else.The lingual is therefore related to all other dimensions.
When we analyse reality…
… we notice both the unique modes and the interconnections
We observe the different dimensions of our experience, as well as how they are related.
Conceptualising linguistic primitives
lingualearlier
later
Conceptualising linguistic primitives
is disclosed by
lingual
constitutive concepts
position
movement
social
economic
juridical
regulative ideassystem
meaningcommunication
The idea of lingual economy
is derived from the connection between the lingual and the economic dimension.
Conversation as form of talk
is differently managed than institutional or other forms of talk.is an associational form of talk, whichis done in a relation where there is neither authority nor durability.
Ratified participants in conversation
have a normative orientation to sharing by taking turns:“a sharing device, an ‘economy’ operating over a scarce resource… an allocational system”(Levinson 1983: 297).
Turn-taking effects transition
… transforming the lingual relationshipbetween
SPEAKER : HEARER
Current Speaker : Next Speaker- an interactive, communicative one
Conversation is normatively continuous
Despite speaker change, there is a remarkable lack of overlap between speakers,as well as an absence of gaps between turns.Adherence to Rule: At least but not more than one party talks at a time.
Exhibit 1: Speakers do overlap
A: It is sui generis…, you seeB: Yes.A: Ehm..B: // But I .. I +A: THIS IS + this is one of the many things eh in
English structure which is ehm an item in a closed system.
(Svartvik & Quirk 1980: 46f; lines 738-750)
Exhibit 2: Gaps do occur
but they are hearable, have meaning, and are oriented to:
C: MacJ: Yes.C: Ø
(2 seconds)*J: HEY! Trying to waste my time or something?(Weideman, Raath & Van der Walt 1986: 97)
Conversation is normatively expected to be continuous
“The notion of expectability that one is dealing with in this regard is therefore an idea of the normative expectations inherent in the (sequential) organisation of talk.”(Weideman, Raath & Van der Walt 1986: 91)
Exhibit 3: Talk is not always sequential
but when it is not, the expectations are that it will again become so, by employing an expectable factual lingual typology of sequence (such as Question/Answer):
A: Where do you come from? Q1
B: You mean where was I before? Q2
A: Yes. A2
B: History (giggles). A1
(Svartvik & Quirk 1980: 152; from lines 1-5)
Two preliminary conclusions
In the roughly equal, recurrent distribution of talk across turns of different speakers (both Current and Next), their social equality is ratified.Lingual distribution and sharing echo the economic dimension of experience, which has to do with the allocation of scarce resources.
The idea of lingual economy
is not merely metaphorical, but refers tocollaborativelyachievingshared expression by employingreal communicative norms that regulate real lingual facts.
Another two primitives
Lingual recurrencerefers to the link between the lingual dimension and the kinematic, which is characterised by consistent movement.Lingual equality (of C and N) reveals social connection.
Linguistic primitives
are foundational concepts that relate the lingual to other modes
lingual
constitutive concepts
position
movement
communication
sharingratification
regulative ideassystem
meaning
formation
Constitutive linguistic concepts and regulative linguistic ideas
A wealth of linguistic ideas…
await further analysis:lingual trust, lingual integrity,lingual obligation,lingual mutualitythat enliven other foundational linguistic concepts (system, continuity, effect, volition, meaning).
