How did the mobility scooter cross the road? Coordinating with co-movers and other movers in traffic. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McIlvenny, Paul
• Is Part Of: Language & communication. Volume 65(2019)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Conversation analysis -- Big video -- Mobility scooter -- Road crossing -- Mobile action -- Pedestrian; Communication -- Periodicals; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Communication -- Périodiques; Linguistique -- Périodiques; Communication; Linguistics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.langcom.2018.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-5309

Abstract

Abstract: This paper reports on a video-based conversation analysis of a mobility scooter user in their everyday life. A collection of road 'crossings' are examined to see how users manage their conduct to be seen to be doing a 'crossing' by other 'movers'. In the approach to a crossing place, users and their co-movers prepare for a 'safe passage' across the flow of traffic and scan the mobilescape for an anticipatory 'window of opportunity' for joint mobile action. Furthermore, they negotiate their right to cross with other movers as well as their obligations to the moral order of the road. Highlights: Road crossing in traffic is anticipatory and locally-managed on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis. Road crossers use a recursive visual search practice to manage taking a turn-at-crossing. Mobility scooter users manage their conduct to be seen to be doing a 'crossing' by other 'movers' in traffic. Mobility scooter users and their co-movers communicate with other 'movers' to accomplish joint mobile action. New video technologies enable a better understanding of complex communicative encounters in the mobilescape.