Ethnolinguistic Convergence and Divergence within Dyadic Communication

Authors

Anna E. PitmanFollow

Document Type

Research Paper

Date of Completion

Spring 2018

Project Type

Honors Capstone

Department

Communications

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Michael James

Abstract

This study investigated just one dependent variable within communication: ethnicity. Ethnicity often influences language. The study examined interethnic communication behaviors through the lens of the Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), as influenced by one of its offshoots, Ethnolinguistic Identity Theory (ELIT). Communication within CAT is given one of three labels—convergence, divergence, and maintenance. The study included four students at Harding University: two African American females, one Hispanic American female, and one Caucasian American female. The primary participant, an African American woman, had a recorded 20 minute conversation with each of the other three participants. Discussion questions provided were formulated to create either convergence or divergence. This study utilized discourse analysis to evaluate the communication between participants, focusing on syntactical differences, discourse markers, and turn-taking silence behaviors within the dyads. Through analysis of interethnic linguistic behaviors, this study hopes to facilitate understanding of factors which govern them. These factors could, in turn, illuminate ways to foster constructive interethnic communication.

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Creative Commons Usage Rights

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

Recommended Citation

Pitman, A. E. (2018). Ethnolinguistic Convergence and Divergence within Dyadic Communication. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.harding.edu/honors-research/1