'l CRACKS IN THE GLASS CEILING?: LAUGHTER AND POLITICS IN BROADCAST NEWS INTERVIEWS AND THE-GENDERED NATURE OF MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS TANYA ROMANIUK A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE PROGRAM IN LINGUISTICS AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS YORK UNIVERSITY, TORONTO, ONTARIO APRIL 2013 ©TANYA ROMANIUK, 2013 Cracks in the Glass Ceiling?: Laughter and Politics in Broadcast News Interviews and the Gendered Nature of Media Representations By Tanya Romaniuk a dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of York University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PlllLOSOPHY © 2013 Permission has been granted to: a) YORK UNIVERSI1Y LIBRARIES to lend or sell copies of this dissertation in paper, microform or electronic formats, and bl LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA to reproduce, lend, distribute, or sell copies of this dissertation anywhere in the world in rnicroform, paper or electronic formats and to authorize or procure the reproduction, loan, distribution or sale of copies of this dissertation anywhere in the world in micro­ form, paper or electronic formats. The author reserves other publication rights, and neither the dissertation nor extensive extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's written permission. ' '·l IV Abstract This dissertation investigates politicians' laughter in televised Broadcast News Interviews (BNis) and mass media representations of Hillary Rodham Clinton's laughter in the context of her failed bid for the Democratic nomination in the United States in 2007- 2008. The data for this study comprise spoken, interactional data (corpora of televised BNis) and written, representational data (a corpus of media discourse)--distinct forms that require the use of different theoretical and methodological apparatus. The first component of the analysis employs the methodological framework of Conversation Analysis to examine the interactional work accomplished by Clinton's laughter and that of other politicians in situ, that is, in the BNis themselves. The second component of the analysis employs an intertextual approach to analyze the post-hoc recontextualization of Clinton's laughter by the mainstream media as a gendered representation, namely, as a "cackle". In analyzing Clinton's laughter in talk-in-interaction and its subsequent representation in talk-out-of interaction, this study makes a distinctive contribution to a central question in studies of language, gender and sexuality-when gender can or should be invoked as an explanatory category in the analysis of discourse. The first two empirical chapters presents an interactional analysis of politicians' and Clinton's laughter in BNis, and reveals how the previously undescribed practice of laughing in the course of "serious" interviewer questions, or at their completion, is not something that is unique to Clinton but is in fact a generic interactional practice. Further, this practice is not something that is oriented to as gendered by any of the participants in the news interviews analyzed. However, the intertextual analysis developed in the third 1· . , '''!'1•1 ~·· T v empirical chapter suggests that this practice became gendered in post-hoc recontextualizations of those interactions, that is, in subsequent media representations- of Clinton's laughter. By considering the way Clinton's laughter travelled across contexts and into other discursive spaces, this dissertation shows how, despite women and men behaving in similar (non-gendered) ways, Clinton's behaviour was taken up in gendered (arguably, misogynist) ways. As a result, this dissertation gives empirical substance to claims about the "double-bind" situation that women politicians still face in the public sphere of politics. , ·1 '''T Vl In loving memory ofmy tato, Taras Roman Romaniuk I I I vu Acknowledgements I thought writing a dissertation was difficult until it was time to try and express my appreciation for all those who have helped along the way (with a word limit, no less)! In the spring of 2012, I had the pleasure of attending a retirement party for Professor Emanuel Schegloff in the Department of Sociology at UCLA. Responding to the kind words of his colleagues, he began by saying: "No man is an island". As it turns out, no woman is one either, nor is her dissertation the product of her work alone. The following pages are the result of countless discussions, drafts, and, frankly, dogged determination in the face of many challenges, if I do say so myself. It would be impossible to thank each and every "voice" that has had an impact on me or my work, and that has made this project possible; instead, I resort to mere words that I know will not do justice to expressing the extent of others' contributions nor the depth of my gratitude. To be sure, I am blessed to have stood on the shoulders of many giants. Here in Toronto, they include the members of my supervisory committee: my supervisor, Susan Ehrlich, Ruth King, Jack Sidnell, and Philipp Angermeyer (and early on, Brian Morgan), and at UCLA: my mentor, Steve Clayman, Candy and Chuck Goodwin, John Heritage, Elinor Ochs, and Manny Schegloff. The eclecticism of this dissertation is no doubt reflected in each of their distinctive perspectives on language in our social world, perspectives that have had a profound influence on these pages-and my professional and personal development, more generally-in ways they will and simply will not know. Just how indebted I am to Susan's unwavering support and tireless efforts in supervising me are indescribable; I am truly honoured to have been her first PhD student and I hope she feels as proud of her contribution to my work as I know she is of me. I simply would not be the scholar I am today nor would my work be what it is without her. Period. It was she, for example, who not only introduced me to Jack but also encouraged me to take his graduate seminar on "Talk and Social Action" at the University of Toronto in the first year of my PhD studies. And what far-reaching consequences that had! Jack has provided me with a wealth of opportunities that have led to some amazing discoveries in talk-in-interaction, and enriching friendships "beyond the data"-from the Repair Workshop in 2008, and the Spring Seminar on LSI in 2011, to my year at UCLA through the Center for Language, Interaction, and Culture, a visit made possible through his encouragement, a very generous recommendation and SSHRC (Ref. 752-2009-2062). While involving some personal sacrifice, my year at UCLA was by far the most transformative experience of my graduate career. It may have put me one year "behind" in my program, but as far as I am concerned, it put me a lifetime "ahead" in so many respects. I cannot overstate how much I learned from my professors and peers during that time and how thankful I am to have experienced so much greatness on so many levels. 'II viii There are many others-both inside the academe and out-who have offered their own precious versions of friendship and support along the way. While I risk causing inadvertent offence in trying to name some of them, not doing so, I think, would also be unfair. Alphabetically then-to avoid any perceived rank-and grouped to give some sense of order and recognition: my Ajax girls (Am, Kristen, Kristin, Leanne); my Mac girls (Ev, Jen, Julie-for reminding me that there is a light-Kat, Katy, Kristina, Linda, Sarah-for lending her eyes and ears to my work-Dr. Steffi-for reminding me to keep dancing) and boy (Daniel); my fellow Yorkies (Jeff, Jess, Jessica, John, Laura, Dr. Phil­ for always going first! You really paved the way-Rick-for being my #1 fan-Sean, Sibley), my LA peeps (Anna, Elizabeth, Dr. Heather-I owe you!-Jena, Jeremy, Lisa, Pietro, Rachel-my Iii' sis-Tessa, Tyler), my CA peeps (Chloe, Dawn, Joe, Dr. Laila, Laura, Dr. Maty-my partner in crime, both in CA and LA-Mike); my Toronto data session crew (Clare, Jack, Jeffrey, Linda, Loma, Lynda, Maria, Ross, Shannon); my fellow globetrotters (Hannah, Nick, Pita, Susie B.), and Jacqueline Peters, my wise skype owl. When I was really pushed to the limits, she stayed by my side while most of the world around us was sleeping-a constant source of care, comfort and companionship. As if all this were not enough, I am also grateful for the love and support of Will Heikoop, which saw me through the first three years of my doctorate, and I simply would not have written this dissertation in the last two years without the unflagging support and friendship of Dr. Federico Rossano. In his acknowledgements, he wrote that he would not have completed his dissertation without me, and the same is true for me with mine. We were able to see each other through some of the most challenging moments in writing a dissertation (in my case) and bringing it to completion (in his). He would say he taught me all his "tricks"; I would say he taught me how to be a scholar. My gratitude extends beyond what any words can convey. I look forward to our careers ahead. And, the same goes for my own personal cheering squad, my family. Their relentless love, support, and encouragement have been a constant guiding force and they are all-in their own unique and special ways--directly responsible for where I am today. My · mother, Lorraine, has made more sacrifices for me than I could put to words (the result would be longer than this dissertation!), and, in many ways, this dissertation is as much her accomplishment as it is mine.