Interactional Functions of Self-Identification in Initial Interactions

Li Wenli; Han Geling

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14

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Interactional Functions of Self-Identification in Initial Interactions

Li Wenli, Han Geling

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 11, Issue 2)

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), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Initial Interactions, Self-Identification, Rapport Management

References

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[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.

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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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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Interactional Functions of Self-Identification in Initial Interactions
AU  - Li Wenli
AU  - Han Geling
Y1  - 2023/04/11
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 58
EP  - 62
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14
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.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Li Wenli

English Translation, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
Han Geling

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

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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

Copy | Download

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

Copy | Download

@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}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Interactional Functions of Self-Identification in Initial Interactions
AU  - Li Wenli
AU  - Han Geling
Y1  - 2023/04/11
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14
T2  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JF  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
JO  - International Journal of Language and Linguistics
SP  - 58
EP  - 62
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0221
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.20231102.14
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.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download