Accommodation Theory

Abstract

The construction of a framework for implementing J. L. Fischer's (1958) notion of "comparative ideolectology," in which changes in a single speaker's speech are traced across different context & interactions with different interlocutors, is proposed through the "accommodation theory," which holds that a speaker can influence the hearer's opinion of him by reducing the dissimilarities between them. It is suggested that persons with a strong desire for social approval may be more likely to modify their speech. Although this has not been tested, studies indicating increased gesture-matching in similar situations are identified. A revision of the accommodation models appearing in the work of Lise M. Simard, Donald M. Taylor, & Howard Giles (1976 [see abstract 7900463]) is presented. 1 Figure, 12 References. D. Weibel