“Reality” within atypical interactions as individual experiences in collectivity: A conversation analysis-based approach

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which analytical approach towards interaction analysis can reflect the reality of minorities. It is well known that conversation analysis-based approach follows the patterns of people’s behavior used in communicating their daily practices. However, such an approach to perceive “reality” experienced by minority people is limited and requires further explanation. Conversation analysis-based approach has a different view of experiencing “reality,” from both the mainstream cognitive science and everyday naive understanding. In this study, we first attempt to explain the epistemology of conversation analysis from several perspectives. We will then elucidate the reality of minorities, particularly the relationship between communication and disability (atypical interaction), from the conversation analysis-based approach. Finally, we will examine the methodological pitfalls of the current analysis of atypical interactions and offer suggestions to approach the reality of minorities.