Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-6-2018

Embargo Period

12-6-2019

Publication Title

Journal of International and Intercultural Communication

Abstract

This study examined the term oplakvane in Bulgarian discourse. It refers to a communication practice – similar to complaining – and a range of associated cultural meanings for ways to construct a socio-economic and political reality. Data for this study included naturally occurring talk recorded during social events, interview responses from 50 participants, and a range of media postings from newspapers and online sources. These were examined through the lens of ethnography of communication and studies of terms for talk. By examining the term's context, potency, use, messages, meanings, and enactments, a larger cultural landscape is made available, illustrating how oplakvane not only describes negative talk, but references a communication ritual that serves to: (1) release the frustrations of everyday life, (2) celebrate and reinforce feelings of fate and despair, and (3) identify and locate a national Bulgarian character.

Volume

11

Issue

4

First Page

304

Last Page

323

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/17513057.2018.1479439

ISSN

1751-3065

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of International and Intercultural Communication on June 6, 2018, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17513057.2018.1479439.”

Rights

© 2018 National Communication Association

Primo Type

Article

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