ABSTRACT
This chapter turns to a macro-perspective on conversation as a speech event. It reviews the research on the analysis of conversational behaviour, and shows conversation is an activity which is directed to social goals as well as the linguistic goals. Speakers and hearers are seen to share assumption about the goals and processes of conversation which enable them to interact with each other and to interpret conversation as an ongoing, developing and related succession of utterances. Conversation is seen to have not only linear structure but hierarchical structure. The acquisition of conversational skills is dependent upon not only these linguistic aspects of conversational discourse, but a knowledge of the social constraints within which they operate in a particular culture. The chapter illustrates the concept of strategic competence, through the discussion of conversational repair, and its effect on conversation in both a native and second language. It discusses the implications for the teaching of language through the use of conversation-like activities.
