What is discourse convention?
Please give some examples.
Definitions of conventions in writing:
http://www.google.com/search?q=conventions+in+writing&oq=conventions+in+writing&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.8253j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=119&ie=UTF-8
"discourse" simply means written or verbal communication.
Discourse convention refers to the unwritten rules and norms that govern communication and interaction within a particular community or society. These conventions help in effective communication and understanding between individuals. Here are some examples of discourse conventions:
1. Turn-taking: In a conversation, people take turns to speak. It is considered impolite to interrupt or speak over someone else. To determine when it is appropriate to speak, one can pay attention to cues such as pauses or the other person finishing their thought.
2. Politeness: Politeness conventions vary across cultures, but they generally involve being respectful, using appropriate greetings and farewells, and using polite language such as "please" and "thank you." It is also considered polite to wait for one's turn to speak and not monopolize the conversation.
3. Topic management: Discourse conventions dictate how topics are introduced, developed, and transitioned in conversations. Conversational partners often use phrases like "Speaking of..." or "By the way" to change the topic smoothly. These conventions help maintain coherence and flow in conversations.
4. Non-verbal communication: Non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice affect communication. Conventions surrounding non-verbal communication can vary across cultures, but understanding and correctly interpreting these cues are essential to effectively understand others.
5. Cooperative principle: The cooperative principle, proposed by philosopher Paul Grice, suggests that people engage in conversation with the assumption that each participant will contribute meaningful and relevant information. This principle encourages speakers to be clear, concise, and truthful, while listeners actively interpret and seek the speaker's intended meaning.
These examples illustrate some common discourse conventions; however, it is important to note that conventions can vary depending on the specific social context and cultural norms.