"Germany will be One Single Concrete Block..."

Abstract

This study analyses the effects of point of view on reference to topic aspects in dyadic discussions in which interlocutors disagreed. A total of 18 dyadic discussions about restrictions on immigration into Germany (one proponent of restrictions and one opponent) were analysed, using a category system of seven main aspects and 37 sub aspects. From linguistic perspectivity theory, it was proposed that different points of view would lead to differences in frequency and quality of reference to main aspects and sub aspects. Results indicated that both groups referred to the same pool of aspects. Proponents of restrictions, however, referred more often to the sub aspect "population density in Germany" than did opponents. In addition, proponents stressed "economic reasons for immigration," whereas opponents emphasised "global economic interrelations" and "moral responsibility for refugees. "A qualitative analysis of the sequential interactive use of aspect showed different patterns of aspect negotiation in the dialogues, suggesting directions for future research on such negotiation processes in naturally occurring dialogues.