Emanuel Schegloff

Emanuel Schegloff is a key figure in understanding how people communicate in everyday conversations. He emphasizes the importance of context and the structure of dialogue, focusing on how people respond to each other in a sequence of turns. Schegloff’s work complements Speech Act Theory, which explores how words can perform actions (like promising or requesting). In essence, Schegloff examines the mechanics of conversation, revealing that meaning is often shaped not just by words, but by the way people interact and the situations in which they speak. This helps us understand communication beyond just the words used.