Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons^™

The Delicacy Of Social Relationships: How Seemingly Small Choices In Formulating Talk Can Have Large Consequences For Relationships, Paige Clairmont

Honors Theses and Capstones

This thesis demonstrates that relationships are constantly being reproduced in every moment of interaction. Talk is the way relationships are reproduced, thus both relationships and talk are dependent on one another. The following analysis discusses four distinct aspects of social action: (1) preference organization, (2) taboo talk, (3) laughter, and (4) repair.