Power-oriented and rapport-oriented interruptions among professional women in small group conversations

• Published in: Journal of Language Teaching and Research
• Main Author: Subrayan A.; Muthusamy C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academy Publication 2021
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85110244915&doi=10.17507%2fjltr.1204.09&partnerID=40&md5=0337930a7e586fb1aefcd97b17f61220

Interruptions in conversations have long been regarded in negative ways and are associated with dominance and power. The purpose of this study is to examine if women in the professional field interrupt each other in casual conversations with the intention to show power or to show rapport. The samples for this study were the verbal utterances and the interview data from the selected three professional women participants. The utterances among the participants were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the Goldberg (1990) model for interruptions. Subsequently, Murata’s (1994) and Kennedy and Camden’s (1983) sub-categories for interruption analysis were also applied for a detailed analysis. The linguistic elements that existed within the interaction were examined to find out if the speakers demonstrated power-oriented interruptions (intrusive) or rapport-oriented interruptions (cooperative). The study reveals that the function of interruptions in conversations may not be for the purpose of portraying dominance alone. Interruptions among speakers that are supportive and cooperative, promoted solidarity among speakers. This study is significance to understand that with interruptions, speakers can work out a topic or a conversation together to produce a shared meaning. Interruptions could be power-oriented or rapport-oriented, depending on the functions assumed in the context. © 2021 ACADEMY PUBLICATION.