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This study is an investigation of (dis)alignment and (dis)affiliation in narrative conversations in English. The analytical focus is on the teller's approaches for eliciting an assessment from the recipient, and the recipient's questioning behaviors to request further information. Conversation analysis (CA) is employed to analyze and interpret data from fourteen naturally occurring, mundane conversations between American and Japanese participants. Three conversations were audio-taped only, and eleven were both audio- and video-taped. All recorded conversations were transcribed using CA conventions. The analysis of the data revealed the teller's approaches for eliciting an assessment from the recipient, with repetitions being most frequently observed. Gazing, nodding, and using gestures, and multiple approaches including elaborating on the story, repeating a point, and emphasizing important words in a louder voice, were also observed. The analysis also revealed that minimal responses from the recipient such as "I see" did not necessarily indicate the recipient's understanding of the story. The recipient's assessments and comments functioned as a barometer of the degree of understanding. Several types of recipient questioning behaviors were identified, including initiating repair, requesting background information, prompting further story, expressing disagreement, and assisting the teller to continue the story. These questions indicated the degree to which the recipient had understood the story, encouraged the teller to proceed with the story, satisfied the recipient's personal curiosity, showed the recipient's interest and involvement in the story, challenged the teller's interpretation of the story, and assisted the teller when in trouble. Whereas questions sometimes caused temporal derailment, they could also contribute to enhancing alignment and affiliation between the participants. Whether or not a particular question was an indication of (dis)alignment or (dis)affiliation depended on which aspect of the story the teller and the recipient focused on. Although the smooth flow of narratives might be preferable, in naturally occurring mundane conversations, the recipient sometimes needs to intervene in the teller's talk. What seems important in communication is to attain shared understanding in the end, even if the intervention delays the development of the narrative. / CITE/Language Arts

Youth with disabilities often struggle to transition into new areas of life; many of these youth have difficulty finding and keeping jobs, making friends, and living independently. The present study evaluated the effects of accessing an online guide detailing how to access supports in one's community. The goal was to increase knowledge of community support options for four students with intellectual and learning disabilities from a transition-support program in the Mountain West. The guide included information on applying for a job, making friends by joining a social club, and finding where to attend church. Results indicated that each student learned how to better access community supports following usage of the guide. Participants also report improved community support following this training. Each participant stated that the intervention meets their goals and that they do not find it aversive to use. Implications for practitioners and practical applications of this research to transition programs are discussed.

Published Article / This study was conducted with 29 Grade 12 learners who were studying calculus. The purpose was to explore how the learners responded to questions based on the derivative and why they did so. Data was collected from the written responses of the learners to two assessments carried out over a six-month period as well as interviews with four of the learners. It was found that learners made extensive use of inappropriate formulae, drawn from other sections of the curriculum The study recommends that teachers should not focus solely on how to carry out procedures, but they should also pay attention to why certain procedures are appropriate or not.

Published Article / Radiographers need to know how to react appropriately when a patient has a medical emergency; this is not only essential but lifesaving. This reaction stems from a theoretical framework that guides an automotive sense of knowing what to do and how to assist. Having the correct equipment completes this circle. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the responses of Bloemfontein radiographers in emergency situations based on the awareness of their role in emergency procedures and their role in the application of pharmaceuticals and equipment on the emergency trolley. A checklist compiled from literature was used to evaluate the state of emergency trolleys at four hospitals in Bloemfontein through impromptu visits. A questionnaire was used to determine the preparedness of radiographers for common medical emergencies. The currency of their first aid training was also established. The study results showed that 50% of the emergency trolleys' content conformed to guidelines in literature; the other trolleys contained expired medicine. Forty-five percent of the radiographers in the sample did not know how to assist effectively when using an emergency trolley. Of the participants 73.5% would respond according to protocol in emergency situations. Fifty-three percent of the radiographers in the study did not have valid first aid certificates. This study showed that though most participating radiographers would respond to emergency situations according to protocol, certain aspects of their response have shortcomings. Additionally the availability of equipment and medication is cause for concern.

Published Article / The article focuses on the interplay between print advertisements and literary genres such as poetry, drama, folklore, etc. This interplay may be used to develop an advertisement's point of interest to attract attention from a specific target audience. Based on previous research we hypothesise that literary genres are exploited as a means to engage audiences. The study aims to give a description of the typical genre characteristics of modern literary genres in SA print advertising. It also endeavours to do a pragmatic analysis of these advertisements against the background of the specific literary genre category and the genre qualities of advertisements to identify the implied marketing message.