Empirical Research On The Beginning And The End Of Natural Conversation Process

Speaking process refers to the whole course of spoken language communication, from the beginning of a dialogue right to the end. A complete piece of speaking process is composed of three main segments, i.e. the beginning, the process, and the end of a language. It can be noticed through observation that when two or more people intend to start a conversation, they always tend to begin with some spoken or non-spoken expressions, which might also appear in the process or at the end of the dialogue in some different form. How do we start, close, or avoid certain topics? Dialogue is the most ordinary daily phenomenon which appears so disorderly and confused as if every participant can speak whatever he or she wants to at any time, without any rules to comply with. This paper argues that although the participants of seemingly disordered dialogues might be different in gender, age, social status and education level, certain rules can be found in their conversations. Only when every participant obeys established rules, can a conversation succeed to proceed. Driven by shared cultural background, principles of etiquette and cooperation, people will spontaneously apply to some common or similar ways while having a conversation. Knowledge about signals of speaking processes could enrich the contents of the science of language analysis and help people achieve more effective and appropriate communication, as well as help learners of the Chinese language comprehend more rules of Chinese conversation in a shorter period of time.This paper is composed of four parts.1,Introduction 1.1 review1.2 related studies(1)written language oriented studies(2)turn-taking approach(3)studies on particular types of conversation structure(4)dichotomic analysis on a stranger-acquaintance basis1.3 purposeThe purpose of this paper is to find out signals of starting and ending conversations based on an analysis of language materials collected, in hope of further enriching the contents of the science of language analysis, helping people achieve more effective and appropriate communication, as well as helping learners of the Chinese language comprehend more rules of Chinese conversation in a shorter period of time. 1.4 collection of language materialsAll materials used in this paper are natural dialogues from everyday life, without any restrictions on the personal relationship or place of conversations. According to 200 pieces of materials classified in terms of personal relationship, the percentage of each pattern used at the beginning and end of language processes is calculated through quantitative analysis, based on which the most frequently and typically used patterns have been induced.2,starting a conversation2.1 starts without signalsStarts without signals refer to those situations when neither party shows evident spoken or body language signals at the beginning of a conversation.2.2starts with signals Starts with signals are the ones that one party of a conversation begins with evident signals, either in language or non-language forms.2.2.1language signalIn terms of the contents mentioned at the beginning of a conversation, language pattern can be classified as follows.2.2.1.1 addressing2.2.1.2 inquiry(1)recent situation of the others(2)activities the others are currently or yet to be involved in(3)if the other party is free to talk(4)needs of the others2.2.1.3 evocation2.2.1.4 greeting2.2.1.5 emotion(1)concern and advise(2)apology and explanation(3)accusation and complaint(4)invitation(5)farewell2.2.1.6 discussion2.2.1.7 request2.2.1.8 joke2.2.1.9 introduction2.2.1.10 direct statement2.2.2 non-language signal Language is an important yet not the only way of communication. In real communication activities, people also apply to other non-language ways to express emotions and intentions besides language.2.3 analysis of conversation strategyConversation strategy is a kind of ability that can directly determine the effect of a talk. Losing control or inappropriate control of conversation strategies would confuse the form of language and hinder the anticipated effect of an conversational activity. At the beginning of a conversation, addressing, inquiry, greeting, evocation and discussion are the most frequently used patterns, each covering over 10% of the materials studied.3,ending a conversation3.1 ends without signalsEnds without signals are not so widely found, covering merely 4% among the materials collected. People would on most occasions choose an evident signal to end a conversation, either language or non-language.3.2 ends with signalsBoth language signals and non-language signals are included.3.2.1 language signals3.2.1.1 leave-taking of one party(1)for other business(2)with an excuse3.2.1.2 summarizing and commenting3.2.1.3 talking about time3.2.1.4 interposing a remark3.2.1.5 answering an inquiry 3.2.1.6 expressing emotions3.2.1.7 sending an invitation3.2.1.8 showing concern or advising3.2.2 non-language signalsTaking up 33% of the material pool, non-language body languages are also containing special implications and expressing the emotion and intention of the speaker, becoming more and more widely used in real life. For instance.(1) silent leave-taking(2) attention shift(3) smiling(4) grabbing the other's hand(5) sighing(6) hugging(7) clinking glasses3.3 analysis of conversation strategyIt is misleading to assume the end of a conversation to be easier than the start, merely because the main part of it has been completed. Inappropriate endings are highly likely to ruin the overall outcome of a conversation, and thus fail the anticipated result of the communication.4,ConclusionLanguage communication is by no means so simple as to open one's mouth and speak. It takes skills and techniques to successfully complete a communication and perfectly realize its objectives. Learners and speakers of the Chinese language should pay more attention in real communication practice and actively participate in conversations suitable for themselves. All language materials selected for this study are dialogues between two persons. Restricted by conditions and instruments for collecting everyday conversations, the preciseness of classification results and statistical data could be limited, as well as the application for learning of this study.