Discourse Patterns in First Language Use at Hcme and Second Language Learning at School: an Ethnographic Approach

Interpretation / 144

The basic patterns of 'Chaining' and 'Arching' get more complex when more
than 2 speakers are present: then, 'Embedding' is the norm <see Annex
2.4). A fourth pattern can be identified as 'Iesting', when a series of
Clarification Requests is linked as in a Russian doll <see page 148).

Is the frequency of 'Arching' in the basic ^lChaining' pattern related to
some particular features? Leaving aside the cases where the 'Arching'
consists in Clarification Exchanges, it seems that its frequency is not
connected with the dominant speaker being adult or child, but with the
purpose of the interaction and the social roles of the speakers. 'Arching*
tends to be less frequent, leaving therefore the non-dominant partner
confined to the role of responder, in the following cases:

1- in conversations whose main purpose is control, although they tend to
be short and therefore few cases were found;

2- in conversations whose main purpose is tutorial;

3- in conversations where information is taken from printed material;

4- in conversations between fathers and children, whatever the topic or
purpose;

5- in conversations where the child is reporting on distant events.

Conversely, 'Arching' tends to be more frequent in conversations that are
heated discussions or quarrels.

The conclusion seems to be that the pattern of interaction reflects the
status attributed to the interlocutor for different reasons: social rules
(in 4), recognition of his role at that moment (in 1, 5), respect for
whoever acts as a tutor (in 2, 3).

5.3.2 Dialogue Texts

The Dialogue Texts are now examined from the point of view of the
relationship between function of utterances and dominance, and in the
context of participants, topic and purpose.

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