Communication Quote by Erving Goffman
““As a linguist suggests: " There are messages primarily serving to establish, to prolong, or to discontinue communication, to check whether the channel works (“ Hello, do you hear me?”), to attract the attention of the interlocutor or to confirm his continued attention (“ Are you listening?” or in Shakespearean diction, “Lend me your ears!”— and on the other end of the wire “Um-hum!”).””
About This Quote
Source Book: Interaction Ritual: A Study of Social Forms, 1959
Communication includes messages that start, maintain, or end interaction, test the channel, and seek attention or confirmation.
In simple terms: Messages start, keep, or end talks and check if the other listens.
Key Takeaway
Use clear signals to confirm engagement.
Themes
communication
interaction
attention
feedback
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
observational
theoretical
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- customer service calls
- online chats
- radio broadcasts
Key Concepts
social rituals
signal theory
media studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know if a channel is truly active?
- What signals best confirm attention?
A Different Perspective
May overlook non‑verbal cues or cultural differences.
