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The conversation 6029viii takes place in the e ntrance of Brutus’ house.
Brutus comes home and Gladys opens the door for him. Gladys sees Brutus with frowned face. She says she can see from Brutus’ face that someone gets a
promotion in the office and it is not Brutus. Brutus who hears Gladys assessment returns the assessment with expression of disagreement. He begins with a question
as he tries to get the understanding of Gladys. He says nice guy finish last and he is nicest so he will get the promotion finally. In this conversation there is an
appeal for understanding you know and preface well before the account. Brutus: Someone has a big birthday coming up soon
Gladys: I know... But I’ve decided I don’t want any fuss – no presents, no party, no cards
Brutus: You know, Gladys, ignoring your birthday w on’t keep you from being a
year older The conversation 2121vii happens between Brutus and Gladys. Brutus
is sitting the dining room, drinking his beverage. He quips her by saying that someone has a big birthday coming up soon
. Gladys says that she knows and she decides not to celebrate it, no present, no party and no cards. Brutus tells her that
ignoring her birthday will not keep her from being a year older. There is an appeal for understanding you know before the account.
Gladys: There you are Oh, Good – since you’re not doing anything special...
There’s something I’d like you to do. Brutus: Hold it right there I’ll have you know, what I’m doing is very special to
me In this conversation 22vii Gladys is the first speaker. She is talking to
Brutus who is the second speaker. The conversation takes place outdoors where Brutus enjoys lay down in the chair. Then Gladys comes and sees that Brutus does
not do anything, just lay down on the chair. She asks Brutus to do something.
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Brutus then explains to Gladys that what he is doing is very special for him. In the conversation there is an appeal for understanding
I’ll have you know before the account.
5. DelayHesitate
There is one comic strip that uses this pattern. The following is the analysis of it:
Gladys: Brutus Thornapple, you are one in a million - pause
Brutus: A million what?
In this conversation 16916xii Gladys says that Brutus is one in a million. At first Brutus is happy when he hears that but then he thinks again. After
several moments he realizes then ask Gladys he is one in a million of what. There is a pause before Brutus takes his turn. It is a delay before the repetition A million
what ?
6. Token Yes
There is one comic strip that uses this pattern. The following is the analysis of it:
Mr. Veeblefester: And that’s how I think they should revise the usage of instant replay in football.
Brutus: That’s an interesting idea, chief. But I think ~ Mr. Veeblefester: Thornapple How many times do I have to tell you not to talk
when we’re having a conversation The conversation 631ix happens between Mr. Veeblefester and Brutus.
Mr. Veeblefester shares his opinion revising the usage of instant replay in football. Brutus says that it is interesting idea but when he tries to shares his
opinion Mr. Veeblefester cuts it. Mr. Veeblefester scolds him and reminds him
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that he does not suppose to talk when they are having a conversation. In the conversation there is a token
that’s an interesting idea before Brutus wants to give the account but then stop by Mr. Veeblefester.
7. Apology
There is one comic strip that uses this pattern. The following is the analysis of it:
Mr. Veeblefester: This new product design was in the fax machine – I’ve told you
to only send digital image files Brutus: Sorry, chief, I forgot
– I guess sending faxes is a force of habit with me Mr. Veeblefester: Read my lips
– no new faxes The conversation 398viii happens between Mr. Veeblefester and
Brutus. Mr. Veeblefester comes to Brutus with the project design paper that he finds in the fax machine. He also complains because Brutus sends the product
design using the fax-machine. Brutus apologizes to Mr. Veeblefester. He says it is a force habit for him to send it using the fax-machine. Mr. Veeblefester then
orders him not to use the fax again. In the conversation there is an apology sorry before the account I forgot.
Levinson in his book Pragmatics 1984: 333 says that there are two essential features of dispreferred actions. First, they tend to occur in a marked
format and second, it tends to be avoided by the speaker. In the comic strips the dispreferred response produces by Brutus tends to occur in marked format or
pattern, Brutus also tends to avoid it. From the analysis most of the dispreferred responses produced by Brutus has the pattern of giving an account. There are 28
from 42 comic strips that contain giving an account pattern. There also other patterns, they are preface, repetition, appeal for understanding, delayhesitate,
