In this thesis, I analyse apologies produced by British political figures from a pragmatic perspective. In particular, I seek to explain the function of political apologies and describe the form they take. In order to give a thorough account of the speech act of apologising in the public sphere, I look to a variety of genres for data. The set of remedial acts scrutinised in this study come from debates and statements in the House of Commons, the Leveson Inquiry and news interviews. The differences in communicative practices between these data sources mean that the types of apology that come about within each genre are varied. Many of the parliamentary apologies are monologic, whereas the apologetic actions found at the Leveson Inquiry and in news interviews are dialogic and, to some extent, co-constructed between participants. These differences mean that a variety of theoretical approaches are taken in analysing the data – speech act theory (Austin, 1962; Searle, 1969) and generalised conversational implicature theory (Levinson,2000) feature heavily in the discussion of monologic apologies. Apologies produced within an interactive, ‘conversational’ setting are treated using developments in conversation analysis (amongst others see: Sacks, 1992; Schegloff, 2007). I attempt to reconcile these two, quite different, approaches to discourse at various points in the thesis, arguing that conversation analysis lacks a theory of how interlocutors understand what actions are happening in interaction (and this is provided by speech act theory) and speech act theory lacks a detailed focus on what actually happens in language as interaction (provided by conversation analysis). On the basis of the apology data scrutinised in the thesis, I propose a set of felicity conditions for the speech act of apology (chapter 2) and discuss how the apology (and speech acts broadly) should be considered as prototype entities (chapter 8). I show that when apologising for actions which they have committed, politicians are more fulsome in their apologies than we are in everyday conversation. I also show that they use more explicit apology tokens than is found in quotidian talk (chapter 3). When apologising for historical wrongs, I demonstrate that apologising is a backgrounded act and the focus of the statement is on being clear and unequivocal about the nature of the offences for which the government is apologising (chapter 6). I also argue that political apologies in interactive settings are best thought of as action chains (Pomerantz, 1978). That is to say, apologies in these environments may elicit a response from an interlocutor, but do not need to (chapters 4 & 5). This is quite unlike everyday talk (cf Robinson, 2004). I discuss how apology tokens may be used in the performance of other acts, including introducing dissent and undertaking serious face threat. I suggest that this comes about because apology tokens exist on a cline of pragmaticalisation (chapter 7).

The study aimed to investigate how homeless people in Gävle municipality experience the remedial actions to stop homelessness. Eight homeless individuals, four acutely homeless and four living in municipal shelters, were interviewed for the purpose of thisresearch. The results show that the experiences of remedial actions are linked to the situation of homelessness; the majority of the interviewees, however, do not consider they receive adequate help from the social services, although they feel satisfied with the actions from the non-profit organisations. The theoretical analysis shows that insufficient efforts or lack of actions can lead to homeless people experiencing social exclusion. Finally, the results show that the interviewees wish for remedial actions that result directly in housing and thus life change. This supports the previous research that showed that similar actions are compatible with the well-being and the possibility of reintegration into society. / Studien syftade till att undersöka hur hemlösa i Gävle kommun upplever att de åtgärdande insatserna mot hemlöshet fungerar. Åtta individer som lever i hemlöshet intervjuades, varav fyra akut hemlösa samt fyra som bor på kommunala stödboenden. Resultaten visar att upplevelser av insatser är kopplade till situation av hemlöshet, dock upplever majoriteten att de inte får adekvat hjälp av socialtjänst. Vidare uppgav samtliga hemlösa att de är nöjda över de ideella insatserna från den öppna verksamheten. Utifrån den teoretiska analysen visar det sig bland annat att brister och avsaknad av insatser kan leda till att hemlösa upplever social exklusion. Resultaten visar avslutningsvis att de hemlösa önskar insatser som direkt leder till eget boende för att kunna göra en livsförändring. Detta överensstämmer med tidigare forskning som visar på att liknande insatser är förenligt med välbefinnande och möjlighet till återintegrering i samhället.

A temática da pedofilia é complexa, polêmica e emergente. A pedofilia, no entanto, não implica necessariamente no cometimento de atos abusivos contra as crianças, sendo possível que as fantasias sexuais do pedófilo jamais saiam de sua mente. Por outro lado, caso referido distúrbio sexual ultrapasse os limites do imaginário do indivíduo que dele é portador, estará configurado o abuso sexual infantil. Relevante observar que não apenas o indivíduo portador de pedofilia pratica atos que caracterizam abuso sexual infantil, mas também os denominados abusadores oportunistas ou ocasionais. Na relação pedófilo-criança, a opção pelo estudo da criança neste trabalho justifica-se, sobretudo, porque é ela quem ocupa a posição de vítima e, como tal, não se duvida que seus prejuízos sejam maiores em decorrência dos atos abusivos praticados. De fato, relevante assumir um olhar benevolente para aquela que, subjugada pelo abuso, necessita, de alguma forma, encontrar amparo que a possa resgatar dessa situação. Menciona-se, nesta dissertação, que historicamente as crianças sempre foram vítimas de atos de violência e que a temática do abuso sexual infantil compreende outras noções igualmente polêmicas, dentre as quais se podem destacar a sexualidade infantil e o incesto. Nesse passo, é dito que a existência de uma sexualidade infantil saudável constitui aspecto relevante para o pleno desenvolvimento da criança. Demonstra-se que o abuso sexual infantil tem a peculiaridade de se revestir da característica do segredo, ou seja, de um silêncio que encobre as práticas abusivas perpetradas contra a criança, de forma que fica garantida a perpetuação do abuso ao longo do tempo, sendo notável a cifra negra relativamente a essas práticas. Com relação ao estudo do abuso sexual infantil praticado por portadores de pedofilia, justifica-se o enfoque em virtude das circunstâncias de sedução e engodo que envolvem a atuação pedofílica e que potencializam o trauma vivenciado pela vítima. Nesse contexto, retrospectivamente ao abuso, verifica-se a existência de fatores de risco para sua ocorrência, bem como se mencionam teorias sobre a vítima. Ressalta-se que a criança e o abusador ocupam posições nitidamente distintas na relação de poder que se estabelece entre eles e se enfatiza a necessidade de investigar quais dessas crianças, que já são vulneráveis por si só, apresentam-se no grupo de risco para a vitimização. São apontados fatores de risco para a vitimização, dentre os quais, sexo, idade, isolamento social e relações conflituosas com os pais ou entre eles. Descreve-se o processo de aproximação entre o pedófilo e a vítima, bem como se analisam os danos sofridos pela criança vitimada. São fornecidos critérios para o diagnóstico do abuso sexual infantil e elencados fatores capazes de potencializar o trauma da vitimização. Descrevem-se os efeitos iniciais e a longo prazo do abuso e, por fim, refletindo-se sobre os fatores de risco, anteriores ao abuso e, sobre os danos, a ele posteriores, salienta-se a importância da tomada de atitudes preventivas e reparatórias do abuso sexual infantil, todas pautadas em ações multissetoriais e interdisciplinares. / Pedophilia is a complex, emergent and polemic theme. However, pedophilia does not imply committing abusive acts against children; once it is possible the pedophile sexual fantasy never emerges out of his mind. On the other hand, in case such sexual deviance exceed the limits of the persons imagination, then the child sex abuse is configured. It is relevant to observe that not only the pedophile practices acts which can be qualified as childs sex abuse, but also those acts practiced by opportunists or occasional abusers. Within the pedophile-childs relationship, the option for a study of the child is justifiable, mainly because it holds the position of victim and, as such, there cannot be any doubt that the damages are larger as a result of the abuse acts. In fact, a benevolent eye is set upon the child who suffered the abuse and needs, somehow, to receive the necessary support to rescue it from this situation. It is mentioned, in this paper, that historically children have always been victims of violence acts, and that the theme of child sex abuse comprises other aspects equally polemic, among which we can detach infantile sexuality and incest. In this connection, it is said that the existence of a healthy infantile childhood is relevant for the full development of children. It is pointed out that the child sex abuse has the peculiarity of being involved in a climate of secrecy, i.e. the silence covering abusive practices against children, so that the maintenance of the abuse is kept for a long time, the black cipher on this context being notable. With reference to the study of child sex abuse practiced by pedophilists, this focus is justifiable, in view of the seduction and deception involving pedophilic activities, which contribute to potentiate the trauma experienced by the victim. In this sense, it is said there are risk factors which precede the abuse, as well as theories about the victim are mentioned. It is noteworthy that the child and the abuser occupy distinct positions in the power relationship between them, and we must emphasize the need for investigation about which of the children, vulnerable by themselves, are on the victimization risk group. Risk factors for victimization are pointed out, such as, sex, age, social isolation and conflict relations with parents or between them. The process of approximation between the pedophile and the victim is indicated, as well as de damages suffered by the victim child. Criteria are supplied for the diagnosis of infant sex abuse, and factors capable of potentiating the victimization trauma are indicated. The initial and long-term abuse effects are described and, finally, considering the reflections on the risk factors prior to the abuse and on the damages after it, emphasizing the importance of taking preventive and remedial actions on infantile sex abuse, all of them based on multi-sector and multidisciplinary actions.

A temática da pedofilia é complexa, polêmica e emergente. A pedofilia, no entanto, não implica necessariamente no cometimento de atos abusivos contra as crianças, sendo possível que as fantasias sexuais do pedófilo jamais saiam de sua mente. Por outro lado, caso referido distúrbio sexual ultrapasse os limites do imaginário do indivíduo que dele é portador, estará configurado o abuso sexual infantil. Relevante observar que não apenas o indivíduo portador de pedofilia pratica atos que caracterizam abuso sexual infantil, mas também os denominados abusadores oportunistas ou ocasionais. Na relação pedófilo-criança, a opção pelo estudo da criança neste trabalho justifica-se, sobretudo, porque é ela quem ocupa a posição de vítima e, como tal, não se duvida que seus prejuízos sejam maiores em decorrência dos atos abusivos praticados. De fato, relevante assumir um olhar benevolente para aquela que, subjugada pelo abuso, necessita, de alguma forma, encontrar amparo que a possa resgatar dessa situação. Menciona-se, nesta dissertação, que historicamente as crianças sempre foram vítimas de atos de violência e que a temática do abuso sexual infantil compreende outras noções igualmente polêmicas, dentre as quais se podem destacar a sexualidade infantil e o incesto. Nesse passo, é dito que a existência de uma sexualidade infantil saudável constitui aspecto relevante para o pleno desenvolvimento da criança. Demonstra-se que o abuso sexual infantil tem a peculiaridade de se revestir da característica do segredo, ou seja, de um silêncio que encobre as práticas abusivas perpetradas contra a criança, de forma que fica garantida a perpetuação do abuso ao longo do tempo, sendo notável a cifra negra relativamente a essas práticas. Com relação ao estudo do abuso sexual infantil praticado por portadores de pedofilia, justifica-se o enfoque em virtude das circunstâncias de sedução e engodo que envolvem a atuação pedofílica e que potencializam o trauma vivenciado pela vítima. Nesse contexto, retrospectivamente ao abuso, verifica-se a existência de fatores de risco para sua ocorrência, bem como se mencionam teorias sobre a vítima. Ressalta-se que a criança e o abusador ocupam posições nitidamente distintas na relação de poder que se estabelece entre eles e se enfatiza a necessidade de investigar quais dessas crianças, que já são vulneráveis por si só, apresentam-se no grupo de risco para a vitimização. São apontados fatores de risco para a vitimização, dentre os quais, sexo, idade, isolamento social e relações conflituosas com os pais ou entre eles. Descreve-se o processo de aproximação entre o pedófilo e a vítima, bem como se analisam os danos sofridos pela criança vitimada. São fornecidos critérios para o diagnóstico do abuso sexual infantil e elencados fatores capazes de potencializar o trauma da vitimização. Descrevem-se os efeitos iniciais e a longo prazo do abuso e, por fim, refletindo-se sobre os fatores de risco, anteriores ao abuso e, sobre os danos, a ele posteriores, salienta-se a importância da tomada de atitudes preventivas e reparatórias do abuso sexual infantil, todas pautadas em ações multissetoriais e interdisciplinares. / Pedophilia is a complex, emergent and polemic theme. However, pedophilia does not imply committing abusive acts against children; once it is possible the pedophile sexual fantasy never emerges out of his mind. On the other hand, in case such sexual deviance exceed the limits of the persons imagination, then the child sex abuse is configured. It is relevant to observe that not only the pedophile practices acts which can be qualified as childs sex abuse, but also those acts practiced by opportunists or occasional abusers. Within the pedophile-childs relationship, the option for a study of the child is justifiable, mainly because it holds the position of victim and, as such, there cannot be any doubt that the damages are larger as a result of the abuse acts. In fact, a benevolent eye is set upon the child who suffered the abuse and needs, somehow, to receive the necessary support to rescue it from this situation. It is mentioned, in this paper, that historically children have always been victims of violence acts, and that the theme of child sex abuse comprises other aspects equally polemic, among which we can detach infantile sexuality and incest. In this connection, it is said that the existence of a healthy infantile childhood is relevant for the full development of children. It is pointed out that the child sex abuse has the peculiarity of being involved in a climate of secrecy, i.e. the silence covering abusive practices against children, so that the maintenance of the abuse is kept for a long time, the black cipher on this context being notable. With reference to the study of child sex abuse practiced by pedophilists, this focus is justifiable, in view of the seduction and deception involving pedophilic activities, which contribute to potentiate the trauma experienced by the victim. In this sense, it is said there are risk factors which precede the abuse, as well as theories about the victim are mentioned. It is noteworthy that the child and the abuser occupy distinct positions in the power relationship between them, and we must emphasize the need for investigation about which of the children, vulnerable by themselves, are on the victimization risk group. Risk factors for victimization are pointed out, such as, sex, age, social isolation and conflict relations with parents or between them. The process of approximation between the pedophile and the victim is indicated, as well as de damages suffered by the victim child. Criteria are supplied for the diagnosis of infant sex abuse, and factors capable of potentiating the victimization trauma are indicated. The initial and long-term abuse effects are described and, finally, considering the reflections on the risk factors prior to the abuse and on the damages after it, emphasizing the importance of taking preventive and remedial actions on infantile sex abuse, all of them based on multi-sector and multidisciplinary actions.