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Interactional Functions of Self-Identification in Initial Interactions

Received: 2 March 2023     Accepted: 23 March 2023     Published: 11 April 2023
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Abstract

One of the most basic interpersonal events is meeting someone for the first time. Research has shown that the interactive practices of getting acquainted in initial interactions play a crucial role in the construction of interpersonal relationships. This study focuses on how conversational openings particular self-identification sequences are constructed in dyadic and multi-party interactions between previously unacquainted interlocutors. Analyzing representative examples of initial interaction conversations under the framework of rapport management model, this study aims to discover the functions of self-identification in initial interactions. Findings indicate that self-identification is essential in initial interactions, and it mainly fulfills three kinds of functions: maintaining interlocutors’ face, striving for interlocutors’ sociality right, and contributing to interlocutors’ interactional goals. It is noted that the self-identification sequences are generally multi-functional and at least play two kinds of roles at the same time, and the inevitable role is contributing to the interactional goals. In addition, lack of self-identification at the early stage of conversational openings will be perceived as problematic and will be remedied in the subsequent conversation. The fact that interlocutors initiate or re-initiate self-introductions, whether prompted or unprompted, is evidence of the essential role of self-identification sequences in initial interactions in the process of interpersonal relationship construction.

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14
Page(s) 58-62
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Initial Interactions, Self-Identification, Rapport Management

References
[1] Michael Haugh, Valeria Sinkeviciute, 2021. The pragmatics of initial interactions: Cross-cultural and intercultural perspectives. Journal of Pragmatics 185, 35-39.
[2] Strambi, Antonella, Tudini, Vincenza, 2020. “I'll say something about myself”: Questions and self-disclosures in Italian L1-L2 online initial interactions. Journal of Pragmatics 170, 82- 95.
[3] Pillet-Shore, Danielle, 2018a. How to begin. Research on Language and Social Interaction 51 (3), 213-231.
[4] Schegloff, Emanuel, 1986. The routine as achievement. Human Studies 9 (2-3), 111-151.
[5] Pillet-Shore, Danielle, 2011. Doing introductions: The work involved in meeting someone new. Communication Monographs 78 (1), 73-95.
[6] Svennevig, Jan, 2014. Direct and indirect self-presentation in first conversations. Journal of Language and Social Psychology 33 (3), 302-327.
[7] Sinkeviciute, Valeria and Andrea Rodriguez, 2021. “So… introductions”: Conversational openings in getting acquainted interactions. Journal of Pragmatics 179: 44-53.
[8] Stokoe, Elizabeth, 2009. “I’ve got a girlfriend”. Police officers doing ‘self-disclosure’ in their interrogations of suspects. Narrative Inquiry 19 (1), 154–182.
[9] Haugh, Michael, Carbaugh, Donal, 2015. Self-disclosure in initial interactions amongst speakers of American and Australian English. Multilingua 34 (4), 461-493.
[10] Spencer-Oatey, Helon, 2000. Culturally Speaking: Managing Rapport through Talk across Cultures. London: Continuum.
[11] Spencer-Oatey, Helon, 2008. Culturally Speaking: Culture, communication and politeness theory. London: Continuum.
[12] Maynard, Douglas W., Zimmerman, Don H., 1984. Topical talk, ritual and the social organization of relationships. Social Psychology Quarterly 47 (4), 301-316.
[13] Haugh, Michael, 2015. Impoliteness and taking offence in initial interactions. Journal of Pragmatics 86, 36-42.
[14] Ran Yongping. The Rapport management model and its violation in interpersonal interaction [J]. Foreign Language Teaching, 2012 (4): 1-5, 17.
[15] Ran Yongping, Yang Wei, 2011. A Pragmatic Analysis of Deliberate Offensive Utterances in Interpersonal Conflicts [J]. Journal of Foreign Languages, 34 (3): 49-55.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Li Wenli, Han Geling. (2023). Interactional Functions of Self-Identification in Initial Interactions. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 11(2), 58-62. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14

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    ACS Style

    Li Wenli; Han Geling. Interactional Functions of Self-Identification in Initial Interactions. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2023, 11(2), 58-62. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14

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    AMA Style

    Li Wenli, Han Geling. Interactional Functions of Self-Identification in Initial Interactions. Int J Lang Linguist. 2023;11(2):58-62. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14,
      author = {Li Wenli and Han Geling},
      title = {Interactional Functions of Self-Identification in Initial Interactions},
      journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
      volume = {11},
      number = {2},
      pages = {58-62},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.20231102.14},
      abstract = {One of the most basic interpersonal events is meeting someone for the first time. Research has shown that the interactive practices of getting acquainted in initial interactions play a crucial role in the construction of interpersonal relationships. This study focuses on how conversational openings particular self-identification sequences are constructed in dyadic and multi-party interactions between previously unacquainted interlocutors. Analyzing representative examples of initial interaction conversations under the framework of rapport management model, this study aims to discover the functions of self-identification in initial interactions. Findings indicate that self-identification is essential in initial interactions, and it mainly fulfills three kinds of functions: maintaining interlocutors’ face, striving for interlocutors’ sociality right, and contributing to interlocutors’ interactional goals. It is noted that the self-identification sequences are generally multi-functional and at least play two kinds of roles at the same time, and the inevitable role is contributing to the interactional goals. In addition, lack of self-identification at the early stage of conversational openings will be perceived as problematic and will be remedied in the subsequent conversation. The fact that interlocutors initiate or re-initiate self-introductions, whether prompted or unprompted, is evidence of the essential role of self-identification sequences in initial interactions in the process of interpersonal relationship construction.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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    JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
    JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
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    AB  - One of the most basic interpersonal events is meeting someone for the first time. Research has shown that the interactive practices of getting acquainted in initial interactions play a crucial role in the construction of interpersonal relationships. This study focuses on how conversational openings particular self-identification sequences are constructed in dyadic and multi-party interactions between previously unacquainted interlocutors. Analyzing representative examples of initial interaction conversations under the framework of rapport management model, this study aims to discover the functions of self-identification in initial interactions. Findings indicate that self-identification is essential in initial interactions, and it mainly fulfills three kinds of functions: maintaining interlocutors’ face, striving for interlocutors’ sociality right, and contributing to interlocutors’ interactional goals. It is noted that the self-identification sequences are generally multi-functional and at least play two kinds of roles at the same time, and the inevitable role is contributing to the interactional goals. In addition, lack of self-identification at the early stage of conversational openings will be perceived as problematic and will be remedied in the subsequent conversation. The fact that interlocutors initiate or re-initiate self-introductions, whether prompted or unprompted, is evidence of the essential role of self-identification sequences in initial interactions in the process of interpersonal relationship construction.
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Author Information
  • English Translation, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

  • College of Foreign Languages, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

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