New book on conversation available

[Keith Sawyer]

In response to David's request for suggestions for books that might be
appropriate for undergraduate courses in linguistic anthropology:

I have just published a book titled "Creating Conversations: Improvisation in
Everyday Discourse."  It is available from Hampton Press, $24.95 paperback,
1-800-894-8955.

Although not a textbook, it could be appropriate for undergraduate courses in
Language and Culture, sociolinguistics, sociocultural theory as it relates to
situated conversation, and discourse analysis.  Many of the examples are taken
from ethnographies by linguistic anthropologists.

Here is a brief summary.  More information can be found at the web site
<http://www.creatingconversations.com/>www.creatingconversations.com.

Conversation is one of those everyday, common-sense abilities that we can all
do without thinking. But paradoxically, understanding how conversation
works is
one of the most difficult problems for scientists. And even after decades of
research, computers are still miserable conversationalists. Creating
Conversations explores this paradox: How can conversation be so difficult, and
at the same time come to us so naturally?

The answer to the paradox is found in the creativity of everyday conversation.
Creating Conversations takes a fresh approach to the study of conversation,
emphasizing its collaborative, creative nature.  To develop this novel
perspective on everyday discourse, Sawyer draws from his own studies of jazz,
children’s play, and Chicago improvisational theater.  The book’s unifying
theme is that the same creativity--improvisational creativity--is found in all
verbal interaction.  Sawyer develops his improvisation view of conversation
with reference to theories from psychology, linguistics, anthropology, and
communication theory. 

Using improvisation and performance as the central themes, each chapter
takes a
different perspective on conversational creativity. The chapters are filled
with examples of conversation from cartoons, TV sitcoms, theater, movies, and
everyday life. Each chapter weaves these examples together around one or two
common themes, and provides insights from recent research in psychology,
anthropology, and linguistics. The central message is that something that we
all take for granted--the ability to participate in everyday conversation--is,
in fact, a complex, creative ability. Creating Conversations will appeal to
all
readers interested in creativity, conversation, and language. 

R. Keith Sawyer


http://www.keithsawyer.com/
Assistant Professor
Department of Education
Washington University
Campus Box 1183
St. Louis, MO  63130
314-935-8724