The Dynamics of Conversation: Uncovering Key Communication Strategies in Casual Dialogues through Conversational Analysis

Abstract

This study uses Conversation Analysis (CA) to explore how people communicate effectively in conversations. It examines the strategies used by friends from different regions, including Swat, Peshawar, and Chitral, who have different mother tongues but communicate in Urdu. The analysis shows that discourse markers, backchannels, adjacency pairs, and repetition play a crucial role in helping people communicate successfully despite their linguistic and cultural differences. For example, speakers use discourse markers like "hmm" and "yeah" to show interest and agreement, while backchannels like "uh-huh" and "mmm" help keep the conversation going and show they are listening. Adjacency pairs, such as greetings and farewells, help structure the conversation and create a sense of order. Repetition is also important for keeping the conversation flowing, emphasizing key points and making sure everyone understands each other. By studying these conversation strategies, this research aims to improve communication and shed light on the simple language features that make everyday conversations work, even in multilingual and multicultural settings.