Reported Speech and Reported Affect in Child Custody Disputes

Abstract

This study analyzes mothers’ versus fathers’ versions of events in three cases of audio-recorded child custody disputes in Sweden. We show how the parents use direct reported speech (including self-quotes) and reports of feelings as discursive devices for creating alternative versions with epistemic authority and credibility. Data are in Swedish and English translation.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the editor and anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on earlier versions of this manuscript.

Notes

¹The study has been approved by the regional ethical review board in Stockholm (Reg. No. 2011/5:11).