Some theoretical and methodological challenges of transcribing touch in talk-in-interaction

Abstract

In this paper, we deal with theoretical and analytical issues raised by the transcription of touching practices. We will focus on both transcription resources and on how these resources are suitable for representing relevant analytical issues in studying touch. In particular, we are faced with methodological and epistemological issues at work with the visual and iconic dimensions of transcription systems and their relation with sensorial modality – touch – that can be, according to the context, purely visual (touch for showing and mapping), tactile (touch for testing and diagnosing), and tactile and visual (touch for orienting and guiding).