The Function of Speaking
The conversation above is a conversation between Lane and Tom. Tom is Lane’s boss. However, eventhough he is her boss, yet,
he still considers that Lane is a good co-worker for him regardless of the status of her tenure in the company.
Tom always asks Lane’s opinion especially if it is related to their jobs.
As clearly seen in the conversation above, Tom asks Lan e’s
opinion about the layout that he has made for the presentation next week. At first, Lane gives her opinion that she likes it, but, Tom does
not believe in her opinion, eventhough he expects that Lane will like with his layout. Yet, Lane gives her real assessment which Tom
dislikes. Although Tom accepts her assessment, however, he still expresses his disappointment.
The participants in the conversation above, Lane the assistant and Tom the boss can lead to a dispreferred social act on the second
pair part, because sometimes when a boss asks something to his assistant, he expects a good respond. Yet, when the assistant gives her
honest opinion which is not expected by the boss, it will lead to a dispreferred second pair part in the conversation.