Robinson2004

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Robinson2004
BibType ARTICLE
Key Robinson2004
Author(s) Jeffrey D. Robinson
Title The sequential organization of “explicit” apologies in naturally occurring English
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, Apologies, Sequential Organization
Publisher
Year 2004
Language English
City
Month
Journal Research on Language and Social Interaction
Volume 37
Number 3
Pages 291–330
URL Link
DOI 10.1207/s15327973rlsi3703_2
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
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Abstract

In this article, I use the method of conversation analysis and data from American- and British-English conversation to analyze the sequential organization of "explicit" apologies (e.g., I'm sorry, and I must apologize). I demonstrate that (a) apologies can occupy a number of different sequential positions, with different ramifications for the organization of apologizing as an action; (b) apologies can be first parts of adjacency-pair sequences; (c) apologies index particular offenses and embody a claim to have offended someone; (d) As first-pair parts, apologies have a preference organization such that preferred responses mitigate or undermine, and dispreferred responses endorse, apologies' claims to have caused offense; and (e) apology terms can be used to accomplish nonapology actions. In this article, I contribute to our understanding of the social and sequential organization of talk in interaction as well as communication practices dealing with the maintenance of social/relational harmony.

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