The Reality of Communication

Garfinkel' s observation

Abstract

This paper tries to cast a new light on the reading of H. Garfinkel's works and elucidate their theoretical position.
Since their appearance, ethnomethodological studies have been the ambiguous projects even on the theoretical foundation. We think this is partly because Garfinkel's projects were understood as positioned in the interpretive paradigms. Although we do not necessarily negate such an understanding, we think the core of Garfinkel's ethnomethodology is not grasped by it. We think, Garfinkel's thought lies outside the confrontation between the normative and the interpretive paradigms.
In this paper, we will examine this point firstly by defining the theoretical position of the interpretive paradigms, and then by elucidating the fundamental mechanism of communication-practices Garfinkel observes and specifies.