Service Encounters

Summary

In this unit you have learned the ins and outs of how to appropriately interact in service encounters in Spanish. Just as a refresher, here is a summary of the basic points we have covered.

• Service Encounters can be very complex interactions that include a number of different communicative acts. Three main components that are typically part of service encounters include: Openings and Tone Setting, Negotiating Service, and Closings and Leave Takings.

• The openings of service encounters typically frame the interaction within the appropriate context.

• Negotiations of service are complex portions of the service encounter that typically involve multiple turns. Requests and offers are common communicative acts found within these negotiations.

• Understanding language variety is important to learning how to maneuver service encounters in Spanish. In this case, we examined Ecuadorian Spanish as compared to Uruguayan Spanish and different groups of speakers (White-mestizo and Indigenous) in Bolivian Spanish.

• CLICK HERE to see the resources used to create this module.

Reflect on this module and complete the activities that follow.

List two things you have learned about service encounters in Spanish that you will apply to your use of the Spanish language.