Studying the detailed work of play using conversation analysis: Three case studies of pig interaction in industrial-rearing settings.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Studying the detailed work of play using conversation analysis

T2 - Three case studies of pig interaction in industrial-rearing settings.

AU - de Rijk, Lynn

AU - Cornips, L.

PY - 2025/2/7

Y1 - 2025/2/7

N2 - This paper seeks to explore what happens when research methods predominantly reserved for the human animal are applied to study behavior of other animals. Specifically, we apply conversation analysis to investigate play fighting behavior of piglets in intensive rearing conditions throughthree case studies. The analysis shows how play fighting is a mutually and continually (re-)established activity that relies on monitoring the other party's continued willingness to engage. We show this orientation to continued willingness distinguishes the activity from more serious fighting.Maintaining mutual willingness is sequentially achieved through mutually constructed opening and closing sequences, floor yielding, and locally negotiating the rules for play. The head toss, a known play marker for pigs, was used flexibly by these piglets. These findings add to or reframe findingsfrom behavioral studies of pig play. In conclusion, applying conversation analysis to pig interaction proves not only possible but fruitful as an additional approach to methods in the field of animal communication.Keywords: pig interaction, conversation analysis, play fighting, piglet play,production animals

AB - This paper seeks to explore what happens when research methods predominantly reserved for the human animal are applied to study behavior of other animals. Specifically, we apply conversation analysis to investigate play fighting behavior of piglets in intensive rearing conditions throughthree case studies. The analysis shows how play fighting is a mutually and continually (re-)established activity that relies on monitoring the other party's continued willingness to engage. We show this orientation to continued willingness distinguishes the activity from more serious fighting.Maintaining mutual willingness is sequentially achieved through mutually constructed opening and closing sequences, floor yielding, and locally negotiating the rules for play. The head toss, a known play marker for pigs, was used flexibly by these piglets. These findings add to or reframe findingsfrom behavioral studies of pig play. In conclusion, applying conversation analysis to pig interaction proves not only possible but fruitful as an additional approach to methods in the field of animal communication.Keywords: pig interaction, conversation analysis, play fighting, piglet play,production animals

U2 - 10.1075/is.22059.der

DO - 10.1075/is.22059.der

M3 - Article

VL - 25

SP - 190

EP - 218

JO - Social Interaction. Social Behaviour and Communication in Biological and Artificial Systems

JF - Social Interaction. Social Behaviour and Communication in Biological and Artificial Systems

IS - 2

M1 - 25(2)

ER -