Conversation and Representation . . .

Transcript analysis

Libby: Hi (.) I work in a hairdressers and (.) I like (.) answer the phone do the tills and stuff/

Louise: /What stuff

- This interruption could show Louise trying to be supportive of Libby and attempting to get her to talk more specifically about the 'stuff' she is referring to.

Libby: like answer the phone (.) make sure like when people have like booked an appointment I'm gonna like get it in the right time to give them like about (.) give the hairdresser the right amount of time they need to do the hair (.) and uhm yeah that's a responsibility cos obviously if I get it wrong like four people could come in at once

- The use of the filler uhm could show that Libby is feeling uncomfortable talking about her occupation, this could also be because she is the most powerful participant in this situation and does not like to be the centre of attention. She also uses the word 'like' several times, this could show nervousness or that Libby is putting thought into what she is going to say about her job. Libby uses the elision 'gonna' and slang 'cos' when explaining how her job makes her responsible, this was said toward the end of Libby's air time this could be due to the fact that she has become more comfortable talking to her peers about her roles in the workplace.

Louise: Okay

Libby: And uhm yeah (.) great

_ This could show that she has run out of things, to say about her job, despite saying the word and which implies she had more to say, and wants someone else to take over the power role she is in.

A 4 second pause then happens as the most powerful participant wants to shift the power.

Neve: *Laughs*

-This could be a sign of nervousness shown by the participant as there has been a long period of silence where the power is free for anyone to take.

Libby: So what do you want to do

- The interrogative asked by Libby was aimed at Neve during this conversation although not vocalised she was looking in my (Neve's) direction which showed who the target of the question was.

Neve: Uhm dunno

- The use of the filler 'uhm' here shows that I am thinking about how to answer the question. This is also an example of an adjacency pair as the participant knew that the question was aimed at her even though this was not vocalised.

Libby: Do you have any responsibilities

Neve: No I don't have a job (.) I'm not cool enough to have a job (3) anyone else have any responsibilities(.)

- The long pause during the speakers turn could show anxiousness to talk about the subject, the open question 'anyone else have any responsibilities' is then asked showing the participant want's to shift the power suggesting they could feel uncomfortable being the centre of attention.

Louise: Yeah I drive a car (.) that's it

Neve: You do have to have responsibility driving along(.) like looking out for other cars(.) knowing when to stop.

- This could show the participant feels more comfortable when she wasn't the most powerful participant in the conversation.

Louise: I don't wanna crash (.) get injured

- Louise's airtime is short, this could be due to the fact that she is uncomfortable being the most powerful participant or it could be because the situation the conversation was carried out under was formal as it was a set task.

Alice: I did a life guard course (.) and first aid to learn how to be a life guard

-Although the participant Alice did not contribute to the conversation earlier on, this late contribution suggests that she is shy and prefers not to hold the power in conversations.

Neve: Ooohh

- This use of filler suggests that the participant is intrigued and could also propose that she has caught on to the fact that Alice is shy in this conversation and is attempting to get her to feel more comfortable and open up.

Alice: I learnt how to treat spinal injuries

- This contribution was spoken clearly and with power, suggesting that the participant had been building up the courage to add this to the discussion, showing that Alice is a timid speaker but that once she has built up enough courage she is able to talk using the position of power.