The Call-on-Hold as Conversational Resource

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2005

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Mouton

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25

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149

Ending Page

170

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Abstract

The call-on-hold can be an interational resource, a means for disengaging oneself from troublesome situations. Unlike a ringing phone, which demands immediate attention, the call-on-hold permits a certain degree of delay and so can more readily be turned to interactional use. In call-in talk shows, where the calls are “what is going on” rather than momentary diversions from the business at hand, the call-on-hold offers unique tactical opportunities for conversationalists. This paper analyzes one incident from a televised talk show, in which the taking of a call is used “subversively” to disguise the nature of a speaker’s conversational actions. It demonstrates how a seemingly disjointed utterance is exquisitely constructed to achieve this end.

Description

Keywords

conversation analysis, telephone calls, talk shows

Citation

Bilmes, Jack. The Call-on-Hold as Conversational Resource. TEXT, 25, 2005. PP. 149-170

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