A01 cohe4573 01 se fm. Qxd

1 5 8
T H E N U T S A N D B O L T S O F P R A G M A T I C S I N S T R U C T I O N
30
Bardovi-Harlig et al. (1991); Griswold (2003). The authentic examples in the table
below are taken from Bardovi-Harlig et al.’s naturally occurring data (1991: 6–7).
“Closing conversations in American English.” Try another example using Sample
dialogue 4 as a whole group before your begin your group work.
2
Evaluate the portion of the book in terms of conversational closings and consider
how you would adapt or supplement the material. Use the guiding discussion
questions on the task sheet.
3
Share your ideas with the whole group.
Discussion/wrap-up
In reflecting on this activity, consider how authentic are the textbook dialogues that
the whole group examined. To what extent are they likely to need to be adapted? What
are some strategies the whole group has come up with for obtaining more natural dia-
logue samples when necessary? In keeping with an awareness-raising approach to L2 
pragmatics (see Chapter 6), what activities would be effective in order to highlight the
pragmatics of the target language? For example, what features in closing conversation
should learners notice? How would you provide learners with an opportunity to 
compare closings in their L1 and L2?
Information: Closing conversations in 
American English
In general, conversational closings in English are rather ritualized. Even though
there are various ways to say “good-bye,” these closings still tend to follow an
observable pattern. Below are the major steps in this pattern. Some of these steps
can occur in isolation or in combination with the other(s).
■
Shut-down. Conversation partners indirectly let each other know that they
have no more business to discuss. The conversational content here largely
reflects the main purpose of the conversation. For example, they can
summarize their discussion, confirm the arrangements made, or communicate
their pleasure in speaking to the other person.
■
Pre-closing. The conversation partners confirm their understanding of each
other’s intentions to end the conversation, usually by saying such things as
“well,” “okay,” “alright,” and “thanks.”
■
Terminal exchange. The conversational partners exchange their actual 
leave-takings.
30

---

A D A P T I N G T E X T B O O K S F O R T E A C H I N G P R A G M A T I C S
1 5 9
Now look at the authentic examples of conversational closings below in the left
column and identify the steps involved in the right.
Examples of conversational closings
Steps in closing conversation
Sample 1
A: All right. See ya.
B: See ya later.
Sample 2
A: All right.
B: OK.
A: So long.
B: See you later.
Sample 3
A: OK. Thank you very much.
B: All right.
A: Now I have to go to French, which is a lot more 
complicated than this was. [laugh]
B: All right. Good-bye.
A: Bye-bye.
Sample 4
A: Yeah, well, next time we come up, um . . .
I’ll bring our set and . . . you can go through 
’em and pick the ones you want.
B: OK. OK.
A: So . . .
B: That’ll be fine.
A: OK.
B: Give my love to David.
A: OK. Tell And . . . Uncle Andy I hope he feels better.
B: I will.
A: OK. Thanks a lot for calling.
B: Bye-bye.
A: Bye, dear.

---