Gambits in Conversation

A.    Definitions of Gambit

Gambit is such kind of fixed expression or routine formula as a set of signals in language. It shows what kind of thing the speaker is going to say next, or to signal the social relationship between the people who are speaking. Gambit also supports the content of our conversation or as the oil in the conversation that keeps the conversation running smoothly.

Keller (1988) defines gambits as "a certain set of signals in the conversationalist's speech, used to introduce level shifts within the conversation or to prepare listeners for the next turn in the logical argument".

While Hornby (1995) states that gambit is an opening move in any situation that is calculated to gain an advantage. Gambit can make spoken English more natural and make it easier for foreign language learners to carry on a conversation. Another function is to give the speaker time to find words for his idea and they also act as fillers (Coulmas, cited in Yuksel (www. yuksel.org).

For the definition above we know that gambit is phrase or expression which can help us to know how to start a conversation and keeping it going and ending. It is important that every time gambit is available in the daily conversation not only in order to support the naturalness but also to make the communication meaningful and easy to understand. Moreover, it is very helpful to construct an expressive and smooth conversation and by using gambits.

B.     Functions of Gambits

In general, gambits function as introducer to certain topics, more specifically the functions of gambits can stated as follows (Keller, 1988: 220):

1.             Semantic Introducer

As semantic introducer, gambits indicate the general frame of the topic which is about to be broached in the conversation. In detail, a topic can for instance be framed in terms of personal opinion. For examples: “many people think”, “in my opinion”, “the real question is”, and “it‟s my opinion”.

2.             Signaling the Participants’ Social Context in Conversation

Gambits signal the participants‟ context. Obviously, gambits can be used to signal a wish to end the conversation. Gambits may also signal person‟s state of consciousness. The listener, for example, may say:

“Yes?” or “Yes”, “I‟m listening!” and the function is to indicate his readiness to listen to the following information.

3.             Communication Control

The function of gambit as a communication control may be indicated by saying: “you know”, or “you see”. It is used to find out whether the interlocutor understands statement being spoken.

4.             Purpose of Assuring

Gambits may also be functioned to assure the listener. This can be done by saying: “are you with me?” or even saying: “is it clear?” This is important in conversation since the speaker will really know the listener really understands the information that he has just stated.

5.             Filler or Avoiding Speech Pause

Conversation is always spontaneous, people in this activity try to speak fluently and give information clearly, on the other hand when they have forgotten their idea they need to apply gambit as filler or to avoid pause in their conversation. The examples: “well” and “umm”.

6.             Hearer Supportive Devices

Gambit can function as hearer supportive devices which are proposed by the hearer to show his interest. The examples are: “really!”, “oh”, and “indeed”.

7.             Discourse Lubricant

This means that the speaker may use gambits to maintain smooth flow of an ongoing talk. This function of gambits applied when the speakers need time to formulate his thought and react toward the other speaker‟s idea. The examples are:

“you know”, “er”, “I mean”, and “the most important thing is”.

Gambits can either fulfill only one of these functions or combine various strategies. The marked expression “I'd like to add something to that”, for instance, will thus determine the semantic frame of subject-expansion and the social context of turn claiming at the same time. In any situation, factors such as the appropriate degree of politeness and the size of the audience also account for the precise surface structure that gambits take.

c)        Kinds of Gambits

Obviously, gambits are expressions that usually precede the speech. Definitely the forms of gambit are short words or single words, phrases and clauses. In general, gambit functions as an introduction to certain topics, therefore the listeners become ready to receive the information. By applying gambit in speech, the conversation being made sounds more natural (Keller, 1988: 4). 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Keller, E. and Warner, S.T.1988. Conversation Gambit. Real English Conversation Practices. England: Language Teaching Publication.