Invoking Membership Categories Through Marked Person Reference Forms in Parent-Child Interaction

Abstract

Based on video-recordings and transcripts from parent-child conversations, this paper examines how marked person references can be designed to invoke relevant membership categories. Through detailed analyses guided by the principles of Conversation Analysis and Membership Categorization Analysis, I show that categories invoked through marked person references allow speakers to account for and upgrade the social actions they are performing. Findings of this study contribute to research on person reference and membership categorization, and in particular, the crossover between the two. They also provide insights into how parents employ language practices as a resource for socializing children into their family roles.