An Introduction to Interaction: Understanding Talk in the Workplace and Everyday Life

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of spoken interaction, covering theory, methodology, data collection, and practical applications. It is updated to showcase contemporary developments and includes new chapters on various contexts, such as psychotherapy, education, and online interactions. It also offers multimodal analyses and a companion website with resources for students.

Format: Hardback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive textbook offers an engaging introduction to the study of spoken interaction, providing a thorough grounding in the theory and methodology of conversation analysis. It encompasses various aspects, including data collection techniques, analytical approaches, and practical applications. The book guides students through foundational research findings on everyday conversations and talk in various institutional contexts, such as media, business, education, healthcare, and law. Furthermore, it has been extensively updated to reflect contemporary developments in the field.

The second edition of this textbook includes several notable enhancements. It introduces new chapters that delve into interaction in psychotherapy, educational settings, language learning, and teaching. The coverage of doctor-patient communications, customer service, business meetings, workplace interviews, and online interactions, including social media, video gaming, and live streams, has been expanded to provide a more comprehensive understanding of contemporary communication practices.

A broader range of research on other languages, such as French, German, Italian, Finnish, Swedish, Arabic, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, is included to broaden the scope of conversation analysis. Multimodal analyses of interaction, which focus on the integration of embodied action and talk, are also introduced to provide a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of human communication.

To enhance the learning experience, the book includes a variety of student activities, recommended reading sections, and a companion website featuring slides, quiz questions, and links to further transcripts. This resource provides students with practical tools and materials to reinforce their understanding of the topics covered in the book.

In conclusion, this textbook serves as an essential guide for students interested in pursuing a career in conversation analysis. It offers a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the field, covering theoretical foundations, methodological approaches, and practical applications. With its engaging content, comprehensive coverage, and practical resources, it provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this dynamic and interdisciplinary field.

Weight: 1168g
Dimension: 212 x 264 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350199910
Edition number: 2 ed