Under Construction @ Keele 2016 Volume 2 Issue 2 | Page 33

24

Analysis
Through analysing the data, a recurring phenomenon was identified regarding laughter as a
device for mitigation and termination within disagreements. Although there were multiple
instances within the data, only three key examples are presented. The extracts below
illustrate the way in which laughter can be used in closing conflicts and the impact upon
termination compared to other conflict ending strategies.
Extract 1: C1.S4.E1.J1.Delivery_(16:30)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 →
11
12 →
13 →

C: Don’t break traditio::n
(.)
A: I always go
(0.3)
C: YE↑:AH that’s why it’s tradition.
(0.2)
A: It’s not tradition.
(0.2)
C: Just do as your to::ld [will ya]
A:
[AH(H)A ](H)A(H)a(h)
(0.3)
A:.h[h(h) no ]
C: [.hhh(h)a](h)
Throughout lines 1-5, Charlotte defends that fetching the delivery is Ant’s

responsibility due to ‘tradition’. Whilst Ant agrees he usually accepts the delivery, he does
not agree this is a legitimate reason and issues a counter claim on line 7. Charlotte attempts
a different tactic on line 9 by simply telling Ant to do as he’s told and on line 10 Ant responds
with laughter, overlapping Charlotte’s previous turn. Ant’s turn also encompasses a serious
reaction in direct disagreement, nevertheless, this is mitigated by laughter which softens the
blunt refusal. Through providing a serious reaction in conjunction with laughter, this
downgrades the harshness of the response.25 Ant may have chosen to provide a purely
serious reaction to escalate the dispute, but by introducing laughter it re-frames the conflict
towards a more humorous discussion.26 In turn this allows Ant to maintain his position
without further escalation of the dispute.
Furthermore, the laughter produced on lines 10 and 12 begins the pre-closing
sequence by indicating willingness to terminate the conversation.27 Charlotte does not
interpret Ant’s initial laughter on line 10 but correctly interprets his second laughter

25

Warner-Garcia, “Laughing when nothing’s funny”.
Ibid.
27
Holt,(2010), “The Last Laugh”.
26