Dr. Leon James
(c) 1971
#19. Transactional moves in the form of conversational displays serve a dual function; a move is a reply move to a prior initiating move and this reply move also functions as an initiating move for the subsequent move that is a reply to it. An illustration may be provided as an example of what such an analysis would look like:
Setting: A and B come up on each other in hallway of
building:
1. A: [smiles, holds eye contact, as she approaches in hallway]
2. B: Hello Martha.
3. A: You haven't left yet.
4. B: Took me longer than I thought.
5. A: I know. It's very tedious. Well, you're off now?
6. B: Yeah. See you.
7. A: [smiles; nods; walks away]
Structural analysis of moves: 1. Greeting opener:
main initiating move of episode.
2. Greeting reply: (a) functions as reply move to (1.) and (b) functions as initiating
move to (3.). Affirming Relationship Tie.
3. Legitimizing Relationship Claim: functions (a) as a reply move to (2.b.) and (b) as an
initiating move for (4.): Refers Back to Previous Episode; Raises Contention Point Needing
Justification ("How come you're still here?").
4. Remedy: Accounted Justification: function as reply move to (3.b.) and (b) functions as
initiating move to (5.): Raises Contention on Point Needing Face Remedy ("I'm not
very fast, am I? I should've been gone by now, as we all have right to expect it...etc.
--see Goffman's work, full of delightful scenarios of this kind).
5. Offers Remedy: functions (a) as a reply move to (4.b.) and with embeddings and (b)
functions as an initiating move to (6): Announcing Closing, or Proposing Closing (said
while person continued to walk, turning towards B.)
6. Accepting Closing Proposal: functions (a) as a reply move to (5.b.); and (b) as an
initiating move for (7.) Leave Taking Round Begins.
7. Accepts Leave Taking Proposal: functions (a) as a reply move to (6.b.); and (b) as the
ending marker of the episode: Initiating a Future Potential Episode or Remaining in
Relationship Standing.