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Fig. 9.1 The Symbolic Propensities of the Conversational Self - Contraction of Expansion of Contraction Self Self of Self Mobilisation and Alignment of Selves as Conversational Players and Images ONGOING CONVERSATIONAL FLOW --jo. The Self as Conversational Construal Face Needs I have treated the second key term of alignment in quite general terms to refer to the way selves are mobilised vis-ý-vis other selves in talk. Participants in sociable episodes have been conceived of as being both alignable and align- dependent entities in their sociable capacities. In sociable episodes, particular selves were shown to be mobilised, commonly typical ones, recognisable by co- participants as sociable. In order to ratify and support these selves, appropriate recipient selves were shown to be mobilised and, appropriately aligned. I demonstrated in Chapter 6 that the facework as alignment approach allows for a range of conversational possibilities centred around the ratification and n on-ratifi cation of sociable selves. It was argued that - and in line with Goffman's (1967) comments on the fundamental condition of ritual equilibrium under normal circumstances, selves are aligned in a way that encouraged ratification and support. This preference for ratification was shown to apply equally to both negative and positive alignment. On occasions when selves were not ratified, participants were shown to normatively re-align so as to 296
maintain the underlying equilibrium of sociability. Finally, if and when alignments threatened this equilibrium, participants were shown to engage in remedial work to restore sociability in and through their alignment practices. The third of the central concepts - equilibrium - was drawn from Goffman's (1967) seminal work as well as being influenced by related conceptualisations of interpersonal harmony (see Chapter 1) and 'politic work' (Wafts 1989). At a discourse level, equilibrium can be seen as synonymous with 'good' sociable conversation (Cf. Straehle 1997). More specifically, in relation to face, equilibrium was used to refer to an interactional context where participants demonstrated their willingness to mutually support both positive and negative face needs. Rather than equating such 'working consensus' with 'lip service' (Cf. Goffman 1967), 1 broadened the concept to include any sociable activity routinely and normatively engaged in to claim and support both positive and negative face needs. These central concepts and propositions were crystallised in the heuristic model of facework as alignment presented in Chapter 3. Fundamentally, this thesis study has not been about conceptual or theoretical development per se, but about trying to address a particular research problem, viz. English - German differences in sociable conversation. More specifically, the attempt has been made to address these differences not in the fist instance from a linguistic perspective, but from a sociological one. In this sense, the model developed in Chapter 3 has been a theoretical means to achieve an empirical end. What then has this approach told us about German - English differences from a sociological perspective on facework? 9.3 Alignment and English-German Differences in Sociable Conversation The research problem which this study sought specifically to address was based in what were outlined in Chapter 2 as apparent differences in 297
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maintain the underlying equilibrium <strong>of</strong> sociability. Finally, if and when alignments<br />
threatened this equilibrium, participants were shown to engage in remedial work<br />
to restore sociability in and through their alignment practices.<br />
The third <strong>of</strong> the central concepts - equilibrium - was drawn from<br />
G<strong>of</strong>fman's (1967) seminal work as well as being influenced by related<br />
conceptualisations <strong>of</strong> interpersonal harmony (see Chapter 1) and 'politic work'<br />
(Wafts 1989). At a discourse level, equilibrium can be seen as synonymous with<br />
'good' sociable conversation (Cf. Straehle 1997). More specifically, in relation to<br />
face, equilibrium was used to refer to an interactional context where participants<br />
demonstrated their willingness to mutually support both positive and negative<br />
face needs. Rather than equating such 'working consensus' with 'lip service'<br />
(Cf. G<strong>of</strong>fman 1967), 1 broadened the concept to include any sociable activity<br />
routinely and normatively engaged in to claim and support both positive and<br />
negative face needs.<br />
These central concepts and propositions were crystallised in the heuristic<br />
model <strong>of</strong> facework as alignment presented in Chapter 3.<br />
Fundamentally, this thesis study has not been about conceptual or<br />
theoretical development per se, but about trying to address a particular<br />
research problem, viz. English - German differences in sociable conversation.<br />
More specifically, the attempt has been made to address these differences not<br />
in the fist instance from a linguistic perspective, but from a sociological one. In<br />
this sense, the model developed in Chapter 3 has been a theoretical means to<br />
achieve an empirical end. What then has this approach told us about German -<br />
English differences from a sociological perspective on facework?<br />
9.3 Alignment and English-German Differences in Sociable<br />
Conversation<br />
The research problem which this study sought specifically to address<br />
was based in what were outlined in Chapter 2 as apparent differences in<br />
297
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