Bakhtin's dialogical theory and exchange of ideas in talk radio

Abstract

This article seeks to establish the relevance of Mikhail Bakhtin's (1895-1975) theory of dialogue/carnival to the shifting realities of talk radio in the United States (US). Scholars have used Bakhtin's ideas as they apply to the media since the mid-1980s, but these applications are either too general or fragmentary. The theory of dialogue/carnival in its holistic format, presented by Bakhtin in a variety of works, can be fruitfully explored in communication studies. The intimate connection between Bakhtin's two major ideas, dialogue and carnival, are incarnated in talk radio, demonstrating that carnival with its unrestricted freedom serves as a prerequisite for meaningful dialogue. This article estimates the value of talk radio for society as a relatively safe place where ideas can be tested before they are fully introduced to the larger society, and where the individuals involved form their ideological and ontological selves. © Unisa Press.