Responsibility and Evidence in Oral Discourse (Studies in the Social and Cultural Foundations of Language, Series Number 15)

Twelve articles by leading linguists and linguistic anthropologists develop an important series of case studies that show how ideas such as "responsibility," "agency," "authority," and "evidence" are simultaneously aspects of social meaning and implications of linguistic form. The studies show how speakers attribute responsibility for acts and situations, how particular forms of language and discourse relate to claims and disclaimers of responsibility, and how verbal acts are themselves social acts, subject to such attributions. This book will serve as a landmark volume in the study and analysis of oral discourse.

Case studies reveal how speakers attribute responsibility for acts and situations, particular forms of language and discourse relate to claims and disclaimers of responsibility, and verbal acts are themselves social acts, subject to such attributions.