Learning from mistakes: Using audio-recorded transcription errors to probe the sociocognitive paradigm in language processing

Abstract

This article argues that errors in audio data processing should be (re)examined to explore and expose the underlying components that enable linguistic communication and cross-cultural understanding. Examples of errors in the transcription of a Mexican social network’s conversations are analyzed to demonstrate the potential of such data in the development of sociocognitive language-processing theories (those that combine formal and pragmatic approaches). It is suggested that researchers working with audio-recorded data should expand the scope of what is considered useful data for the sake of both methodological reflexivity and identifying the underlying cognitive processes enabling linguistic understanding.