Occupation theories/theorists

• John Swales - 'the web of discourse' 


  States that within a workplace, employees are a part of a group that share a common purpose and goal and within it, language use shares similarities and differences
• Kollataj

  Argues some language uses like slang have a stigma in the workplace but jargon does not
• Spolsky

  Says jargon helps you to become indoctrinated into the group
• Herrgard


  Argues that in time-constrained situations, efficiency is key and so jargon works well
• Drew and Heritage


  Suggests that knowing relevant jargon allows us to make the job run more efficiently
• Crystal


  Jargon leads to efficiency and optimal communication. it builds a group identity where more 'elite' members can emerge
• Althusser 


  Disturbs our thoughts if we do not use or know jargon
• Spolsky

  People stand out if they do not use jargon
• Koester - transactional and interactional conversations

  • Transactional - making a transaction, getting something done
  • Interactional - serving a social purpose
• Fairclough - conversationalism

  A process where interactions in the workplace becomes less and less formal
• Drew and Heritage


  Conversations at work are goal-oriented. The person who starts is trying to reach a work-based goal
• Herbert and Straight

  Researched detailed that in conversation, compliments are paid but they move down the hierarchy. (Boss pays you a compliment more than you pay them one)
• Hornyak


  Conversations are initiated by those with the most power
• Heritage

  Argues that a turn-taking structure appears in transactional conversations. The person with the most power asks questions
• Gavruseva

  We have many different 'discourse identities' - talk to lots of people differently
• Myers-Soctton

  we code-switch our language to one that benefits us the most. often includes moving up and down the registers and increased use of politeness features like fronting an imperative
• Herring


  Believes technology and gender have an influence in our work-based language. Research detailed that in emails, men used harsher and less euphemised methods of expression whereas women used more emotion-based responses, seeking a more personal touch
• Thornborrow


  Argues that the workplace is built with asymmetrical power, meaning different people have different amounts of power
• Drew and Heritage


  Special rules come into play in hierarchal settings. Things work differently in a workplace than a normal conversation
• Atkinson

  Notes there is hyper-formal turn-taking in parliment
• Holmes and Stubbe

  Argues that those in higher-power positions can downplay or assert authority to alter their status
• Blank


  Argues that we change our language in an attempt to fit in with the social situation and exert influence
• French and Raven - model of 5 'bases of power'

  • expert: a power formed from superior knowledge
  • reward: a power with the ability to offer a form of reward in exchange for compliance
  • legitimate: a genuine power that someone has
  • referent: a power based on rapport with people - you may do something because you like that person
  • coercive: a power with the ability to force or coerce someone into doing something
• Sinclair and Coulthard - IRF

  An initiation, response and feedback structure used between the teacher and students within the classroom:

  1. initiation - the teacher provokes an answer
  2. response - the child responds
  3. feedback - the teacher provides feedback