Language and Social Interaction

The term language and social interaction (LSI) refers both to what LSI researchers study and to the collection of research approaches from and through which they study. LSI research has evolved from the interdisciplinary study of language, speech, talk, and culture to the primary intellectual space in the field of communication for the rigorous study of naturally occurring, everyday communication. LSI research continues to pursue the descriptive and explanatory inquiry of human communication and has a long-standing tradition of examining, illuminating, and providing solutions for problems in relationships, organizations, and communities. This entry provides an introduction to a small set of assumptions, terms, and concepts central to LSI; particular research perspectives that are constitutive of the LSI field; and an outline of some of the ...