The transgressive that: making the world uncanny.

Hayward, Rachael; Wooffitt, Robin; Woods, Catherine

Abstract

In this article, we examine how the demonstrative that may be used to notice an event in the world in such a way as to suggest it has highly unusual or transgressive properties and in so doing invite others to align with that implicit claim. Drawing on Freud's notion of the uncanny, we examine instances of the transgressive that in circumstances in which participants at least entertain the possibility that they are experiencing anomalous or paranormal objects and entities. The analysis outlines the basic features of the transgressive that and examines how it may be the vehicle for a range of delicate interpersonal activities. Throughout the article, we try to show the broader relevance of the analytic argument by reference to data from more mundane interactional settings and to other forms of discourse, including fiction, commentary and interview narrative.

Citation

HAYWARD, R., WOOFFITT, R. and WOODS, C. 2015. The transgressive that: making the world uncanny. Discourse studies [online], 17(6), pages 703-723. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1461445615611784

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 24, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Nov 2, 2015
• Publication Date: Nov 15, 2015
• Deposit Date: Sep 20, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 20, 2016
• Journal: Discourse studies
• Print ISSN: 1461-4456
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7080
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 703-723
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1461445615611784
• Keywords: Anomalies; Conversation analysis; Demonstratives; Noticing; Uncanny
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1795
• Contract Date: Sep 20, 2016