Strategic ambiguity in Black speech genres: Cross-cultural interference in participant-observation research

Addressed is the question of how to accommodate a receiver-based analysis of Black Eng (BE) speech acts & genres within the framework outlined by E. Goffman (Frame Analysis, New York: Harper Colophon, 1974). It is shown that in a number of BE speech acts, such as the making of general accusations & the issuance of denials, & in sounding & woofing & several kinds of signifying, speakers use strategic ambiguity to place the receiver in the socially accountable position. Different patterns in the use of strategic ambiguity in black & white culture are examined, & it is seen that the black organizational scheme is directly at odds with that of mainstream US culture. This has resulted in some misinterpretations of BE speech acts & events; eg, researchers have characterized "woofing" as a kind of bluffing because this form of verbal aggression does not always result in physical violence. They have failed to recognize that the outcome of woofing is dependent on the receiver's responses & the direction in which he chooses to turn the game. 26 References. Modified HA