4th Conference on Discourse, Culture & Interaction (DCI-4)

The University of Queensland are happy to announce the 4th Conference on Discourse, Culture & Interaction that provides a forum for researchers in the areas of Pragmatics, (Applied) Linguistics, Communication Studies, Cultural Studies among others to share their research findings. We particularly welcome submissions from early career researchers – including Honours, MA and PhD.

The conference will provide a forum for researchers in the areas of Pragmatics, (Applied) LInguistics, Communication Studies, Cultural Studies among others to share their research findings.

Register now      Conference Program

Keynote speaker

Dr Wei-Ling Melody Chang, The University of Queensland

Title and abstract

Assessments and Assessment Responses in Initial Interaction in Mandarin Chinese 

Abstract: Getting acquainted with others is important in both the workplace and everyday life. In this presentation, I investigate initial interactions in which Mandarin Chinese speakers are getting acquainted, with a particular focus on the assessment sequences. Drawing on approximately 18.5 hours of audio(visual) recordings, I focus on a particular sequential practice in which self-disclosures are found to be followed by assessments sequences, either positive or negative, by another speaker, which then trigger diverse responses by the assessment recipient. From the analysis it emerged that both positive and (implicated) negative assessments are deployed to establish relational connection with the unacquainted recipients, that is, to index solidarity and familiarity. Relational connection is accomplished, on one hand, through initiating positive assessment that the recognition and approval of one’s “face”; on the other hand, it can be also accomplished through launching (implicated) negative assessment with which assessors presuming one’s knowledge about the other and projecting their epistemic authority, i.e., claiming their independent knowledge with respect to the recipients, and thereby establishing familiarity with their counterpart. These findings suggest that assessments and assessment responses are crucial to the negotiation of new interpersonal relationships in initial encounters. 

We are looking forward to hearing about your research findings!

Website: languages-cultures.uq.edu.au/DCI2024
Email:  dci@uq.edu.au
Twitter:  @DCI_UQ

Organising Committee

Discourse Discussion Group (DDG)