Discovering strange events in empty spaces: the role of multimodal practice and the interpretation of paranormal events.

Ironside, Rachael

Abstract

This article examines how empty space may be used as an interactional resource to see, understand and categorise events as potentially paranormal. By drawing upon video data of groups noticing and negotiating their experiences of a strange event, this study examines the verbal and multimodal practices used to negotiate the status of these events (as either paranormal or normal). It is argued that through interactional practices individuals render certain events in the local milieu noticeable, and through negotiation of the features and location of an event in empty space, imply transgressive qualities towards them.

Citation

IRONSIDE, R. 2017. Discovering strange events in empty spaces: the role of multimodal practice and the interpretation of paranormal events. Journal of pragmatics [online], 120, pages 88-100. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2017.09.005

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 11, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Sep 28, 2017
• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2017
• Deposit Date: Dec 7, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 29, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Pragmatics
• Print ISSN: 0378-2166
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-1387
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 120
• Pages: 88-100
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2017.09.005
• Keywords: Multimodal; Interaction; Gesture; Pointing; Paranormal; Empty space
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2620