Small talk in diplomatic negotiation: the case of a closed-door nuclear arms control meeting

In this study, we investigate the function of Small Talk in a high-profile summit on nuclear arms control where the participants negotiated further steps in the détente period of the Cold War. We divide manifestations of Small Talk into themes, allowing us to identify a cluster of topics. We also consider the function of the elements of this cluster in the sequential build-up of the summit. We examine the pragmatic functions of Small Talk themes through the lens of ritual and politeness, arguing that (a) Small Talk in our data involves more ritual than routine phatic exchanges; (b) diplomatic Small Talk manifests itself in a variety of topics and related pragmatic behavioural patterns; and (c) diplomatic Small Talk unfolds in a ritual frame through which rapport between the participants is enhanced and the face-threatening nature of the diplomatic negotiation is mitigated.