Compliments on a home birth helpline

Shaw, R. and Kitzinger, C. (2012) Compliments on a home birth helpline. Research on Language and Social Interaction, 45(3), pp. 213-244. (doi: 10.1080/08351813.2012.699251)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

This article examines the ways in which speakers positively assess recipients—a generic practice of complimenting in talk-in-interaction—in the particular institutional context of a helpline for women seeking a home birth. It analyzes the positive assessments (n = 112) produced by a single call-taker across 80 helpline calls. It considers their design, how they are responded to, and the actions (other than or additional to complimenting) they are used to do. The findings support the literature, suggesting that complimenting is an important professional skill, and show both how it is done and its value for the helpline. They also extend our knowledge about complimenting as a social action more generally and about actions other than complimenting that positive assessments can be used to do.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Shaw, Dr Rebecca
Authors: Shaw, R., and Kitzinger, C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment
Journal Name:Research on Language and Social Interaction
Publisher:Routledge
ISSN:0835-1813
Published Online:03 August 2012

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record