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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).

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