A Socio-Pragmatic Study Of Turn-taking In Wechat Conversations

Conversation Analysis is mainly focused on the study of naturally occurring conversations to reveal the patterns of conversational structure. Turn-taking as its core issue has been widely applied to study both spoken and written conversations. Wechat conversations, which can be both in written and spoken forms have not attracted too much scholars’ attention yet. In this thesis, Wechat conversations are studied to explore how different social relations of interlocutors are revealed by applying turn-taking analysis model, the Cooperative Principle and Politeness Principle; and what kinds of differences are there in turn length, topic control and turn types?The thesis makes a full use of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative research method is applied to calculate turn number, average turn length and the distribution of turn types of interlocutors. Qualitative research method is applied to illustrate the relationships between social relations and turn-taking.Data collected in this thesis are raw Wechat chatting materials from the author herself, her friends and colleagues. For the purpose of study, selected Wechat conversations were happened between two people and divided into two types:power and solidarity.There are three major findings in this thesis. First, there are differences in turn length of interlocutors. In power-relation, the one in higher social status has shorter turn length, while the subordinate one has longer turn length. In solidarity, there exist little differences in turn length, and it is influenced by interlocutors’ conversational styles, personalities, gender and context. Second, there are differences in starting a conversation. In power relation, the one in subordinate position often starts a conversation by applying pre-sequence and address forms. In solidarity, topic often starts directly. Third, there are differences in the frequency of follow and violation of Cooperative Principle and Politeness Principle. In power relation, the one in higher social status has a higher frequency of violation of the Politeness Principle, while the subordinate one often follows both Principles, except for the violation of the Maxim ofQuantity. In solidarity, follow or violation of them depends on interlocutors’ conversational styles, personalities, gender, conversation contents and context. Specific information will be mentioned in chapter five.The study of this thesis has theoretical and practical significances. Theoretically, it enriches the research scope of turn-taking and provides a new sight of study Wechat. Practically, it provides references for later successful Wechat communications, and helps interlocutors establish and strengthen interpersonal relations.