Communication breakdowns: An exploration of contextualization in native and non-native speakers of French

This study explores the issue of language use in native and non-native speakers of French by taking an in-depth look at contextualization. By doing so, we introduce a novel approach for rethinking the issue of language use and context with second language learners. A rich data base, involving videotaped interactions as well as retrospective interviews, allowed us to capture the viewpoints of participants with respect to what they were producing and what they were perceived to be producing during their conversational encounters. This was achieved with a microanalysis of interaction starting from the observation of contextualization cues. The results show that contextualization cues are instrumental in contributing to the construction both of context and of the message. The outcome of the research provides insight into how students learning a second language and their teacher interact and suggests that they need to develop a better awareness and understanding of contextualization cues. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.