Introduction

This introductory chapter by the editors of the volume provides a rationale of the project on which the book is based. The introduction describes how the volume aims to set out ways in which conversation analysis (CA) can make a significant contribution to the teaching of spoken language for specific purposes (LSP) and to provide a firm foundation for future research and practice in this area. The introduction also explains how the volume provides a theoretical and methodological framework for applying CA to LSP, as well as a series of illustrations of practical applications of CA to specific domains including interpreting, journalism, service encounters, academic discourse and the language classroom.