Conversation Analysis Of Footing In TV Talk Shows

At present, TV talk show has become more and more popular as an institutional conversation, which has its own characteristics. In this thesis, the focus is on footing in TV talk shows. After Goffman has proposed the concept of footing, it has aroused numerous scholars' interest in probe into this area. This research is based on footing in Chinese TV talk shows, which has both the theoretical and practical significance. To the theoretical point, it has applied the methodology of conversation analysis and the concept footing proposed by Goffman. CA as a newly developed discipline proposed by Harvey Sacks has its advantage over the analysis of talk-in-interaction. While, the famous socialist Goffman's footing has provided an insightful point of view to study speakers conveying words that are not their own. To the practical point, it could also improve the professional skills of interviewers who are public figures and this program would broadcast to millions of people, the masses. In order to be a qualified interviewer, there are certain professional requirements for them to meet with. To stand on proper footing is also part of them.In this thesis, the focus lays on three aspects. First, the patterns interviewers have employed to stand on certain footing. Second, the context footing shift occurs and the function they have achieved. Third, the response of interviewees due to conversation is a process of talk-in-interaction and footing shift is also an interactive process. These points are interwoven together to build up the main course of footing shift.After data analysis it has found out that in talk show, interviewers always resort to indirect statement, report of occurrence, display of perspective or propose hypothesis to stand on sound footing based on their professional requirements. In talk show it is inevitable to express some opinions or perspective. In order not to undertake the responsibility of what they have said, they might offer the hat of "principle" or "author" to others according to Goffman's classification of footing.The proper footing could serve certain functions as initiation of a new topic, avoiding of sensitive topic and defending against criticism. After footing shift, there might be the trigger for a new sequence of a new topic. Standing on proper footing should largely avoid facing sensitive topic or criticism directly. Therefore, it could escape from being in dilemma.Talk-in-interaction is a process of interaction in which the participants cooperate with each other. Therefore, the response of it is also analyzed in this thesis. It has been found out that after footing shift there are two common practices for it which are withholding any reference to antecedent assertion and reference to the antecedent assertion without attributed to anyone.Through out conversation analysis of TV talk show, it has researched what Gofffman has defined as footing in it and the fixed practices participants'employed. This research endeavors to employ conversation analysis this method to probe talk show this institutional conversation to find out its characteristics.