This book aims to offer new methodological insights for the analysis of discursive exchanges that take place in the landscapes of socio-legal care. The hybrid nature of such contexts requires diverse analytical tools that are introduced in clear steps both through theoretical considerations, supported by specialised literature, and through examples of their operation. Chapter 1 deals with Politeness issues from an intercultural, discourse-sensitive perspective. From a complementary standpoint, Chapter 2 introduces the Communication Accommodation Theory - one of the most prominent frameworks in the social psychology of language - by focussing on its potential for new cross-disciplinary applications in critical discourse studies, which is a field of multiplicity, complexity and versatility. Chapter 3 provides an overview of and insights into new Appraisal Framework developments, with extensive, illustrative examples (especially where the instantiation of emotion talk is concerned). The fourth chapter builds on the first three to propose an interpretive reading, based on such an integrated methodology, of a selection of protective order interviews by U.S. help-seeking Latinas. Moreover, the potential of this multidisciplinary approach, where resources from Politeness, CAT and APPRAISAL were synergistically utilised, is prospected for new explorations in discourse analysis.

L'AUTORE
Lucia Abbamonte is now working as a research fellow and adjunct professor of English for special purposes (ESP) and applied linguistics at the Second University of Naples, Department of Psychology, where she has also taken part in interdisciplinary research projects and Projects of National Relevance. Her present interests lie in Critical Discourse Analysis, communication in socio-psychological interaction, language in professional practice and mediation, and ESP for cognitive sciences. She has contributed papers to international conferences and published several essays, articles, and two books.