Based on the data from tape-recorded verbal interactions, this study examines interpersonal and political conflict talk in modern China, with particular focus on how verbal conflicts are expressed and managed by culturally identified linguistic strategies. The interactional sociolinguistic approach to discourse analysis has been adopted to explore both the process and the strategic choices of verbal conflicts.;My analysis of sociable arguments among Chinese friends shows that disputants tend to use aggravated disagreement strategies, such as formulaic opposition markers, uncooperative interruption, and substitution, to confront their opponents directly. Those speakers' argumentative, overtly competitive behavior, which is directed to solidarity enhancement, implies their strong desire to present an independent and sincere self in the interactive frame.;While sociable arguments are predominantly differences of opinion and the dynamic opposition does not disrupt the ongoing activity, the analyzed verbal conflicts in parliamentary interpellations in the Legislative Yuan in Taiwan may develop into a ventilation of anger and hostility because of the antagonism between the ruling and the opposition parties. It is found that legislators from the opposition party frequently use such strategies as accusatory question or sarcasm to humiliate or embarrass the questioned government officials.;As a result of different interactive goals, participant relations of power and affect, and other contextual factors, friends' disputes in casual conversations and verbal conflicts in parliamentary interpellations are dissimilar in terms of cause, nature, course, and outcome. However, the on-record, uncompromising argumentative style I found in these two types of conflict talk supports recent research on Chinese personality, which has pointed out that modern China, as represented by Taiwan, is gradually changing from a relatively collective hierarchical to a relatively individual egalitarian society. As Chinese have become more individual-oriented than they were, they are more willing to take the risk of confronting others or challenging authority.
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