Functional aspects of a communicative practice in semi natural discourses

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to the discussion and analysis of the communicative practice list, and the three-component list structure in semi-natural dialogue discourses. Based on empirical lists in TV talk shows it deals with a description of the three component structure whose central point is the list framed by the projection-component and the gestalt closure, as described by Margaret Selting (Selting 2003). This study's primary purpose is to explore which list types and functions can be recognized in the given context with special emphasis put on the Theme-Rheme structuring of a discourse. The study utilizes a corpus of recordings taken from Czech and German TV talk shows. The focal points containing lists were analysed and transcribed using the GAT or GAT2 methods. Based on a detailed analysis of lists from eight episodes of talk shows the list itself is treated from the point of view of sequential structuring in both German and Czech discourses. The interaction of syntax, semantics, and prosody receives special attention here, as each is fundamental to the production, recognition and interpretation of the list.