How to pick up a stranger: Study of interlocutory processes in a flirtatious encounter

This research was conducted as a follow-up of a previous study by Agnoletti and Defferrard, who analyzed linguistic productions collected using a quasi-experimental method and then demonstrated the existence of interlocutory scripts specific to flirtatious encounters. To identify the scripts, the authors studied the role of linguistic productions in maintaining communication and expressing a particular attitude toward the encounter. In the present article, we approach this issue in greater depth by conducting an interlocutionary analysis. The analysis allowed us to identify the linguistic means used by the protagonists to manifest their attitude (favorable or unfavorable) about a courting process initiated in the inter-subject space. We found several processes that could be implemented to communicate each of two attitudes identified: involvement in the flirtatious encounter or refusal to get involved.