2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Managing Interaction: Negotiation and Accommodation strategies in ELF
| Project/Area Number |
17K13476
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| Research Institution | Sugiyama Jogakuen University |
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Principal Investigator |
池 沙弥 椙山女学園大学, 国際コミュニケーション学部, 准教授 (10738214)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
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| Keywords | backchannel sequence / rapport / smile / stance-taking |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Following our research modification, we further proceeded in analysis of smiles in backchannel interactions. Through the detailed analysis of non-verbal elements (i.e., smiles and nodding) and verbal backchannel elements, as well as the backchannel discourses of Japanese conversations, Japanese English conversations and Australian English conversations, we have identified the followings;
First, when smile is used independently by one participant and not shared by the other participant, smile is used as a stance affiliation marker, but does not contribute to rapport establishment.
Second, when broad smiles AND simultaneous nodding are shared between the participants, they are actively engaged in 'rapport building' within the backchannel sequence.
Third, when smiles OR simultaneous nodding are shared between the participants, they are affiliating with each other and they share the same 'stance', but not necessarily enhancing 'rapport within the sequence. Rather, smiles in such cases seem to 'maintain' the existing rapport.
Fourth, smiles can not only work as an individual backchannel element, but also functions as a bridge between two or more separate backchannel instances, resulting in further rapport establishment across the backchannel sequences.
We have come to a conclusion that while 'stance' (in other words, 'positioning') is always dynamic in interaction, 'rapport' can be both dynamic and static, and the use of smile and nodding has a significant influence on establishing dynamic rapport within the backchannel sequences.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
While the analysis of Australian English and Japanese English went well, we strongly felt that, in order to reveal how smiles and nodding are used by Japanese participants, the analysis of Japanese conversations was also necessary. Thus this year, we analysed Japanese conversations in detail. ELF conversations were also analysed, but the findings are yet to be published.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
We have modified our research plan to focus on Australian English, Japanese English, and Japanese. We will summarise our findings and publish in relevabt journals.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Due to the research modification and Covid-19 pandemic, research trips in the last month were postponed to the following year.
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Research Products
(4 results)
