'You can hear a lot through the walls': Noise formulations in neighbour complaints

Abstract

In this article, we explore noise formulations as they are played out in two institutional contexts: neighbour dispute mediation and neighbours' calls to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) helpline. The data were transcribed and analysed using a discursive psychological approach. Our interest was in the salience of 'noise' description in our data and its formulation as a participants' concern. We found that establishing legitimate complaints or accusations was done partly through establishing 'noise' as a non-normative breach of everyday neighbour or family activity. We examined the epistemic orientations of participants (including clients, callers, mediators and Child Protection Officers) in telling whatand howthey know about their neighbours' business, and the discursive strategies used to position the account-giver as disinterested, reasonable, irritated or concerned. Our contrasting materials provide an opportunity to explore the detailed ways in which descriptions of events, persons and sensory formulations are coordinated together to perform particularly delicate actions. Overall, we consider what an interactional approach can add to our understanding of 'noise' as a social phenomenon as well as to contemporary notions of neighbouring.