This volume investigates the intricacies of dialogue as a linguistic phenomenon, drawing from selected papers presented at the 7th International Association for Dialogue Analysis (IADA) conference in Birmingham in 1999. The collection focuses on the analytical frameworks and methodologies employed by researchers to understand spoken and written interaction, with contributions likely exploring various aspects of conversational structure, turn-taking, politeness, and the social functions of dialogue. The papers aim to advance the field of dialogue analysis by presenting empirical studies and theoretical discussions on how meaning is constructed and negotiated through conversation.

This collection is likely regarded as a valuable resource for scholars and students in linguistics, discourse analysis, and communication studies. The papers, stemming from a specialized international conference, suggest a focus on rigorous academic inquiry and detailed analysis of conversational data. The book's utility lies in its contribution to the ongoing academic discourse on how dialogue functions and can be systematically studied.