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Смысл за страницами: какими смыслами обмениваются даритель и получатель при дарении книг
Gift giving is a widespread social practice with a long history, which is an important part of social relations. However, the gift giving of books may be difficult to describe with the help of classical gift exchange theories. The aim of the present study is to determine the palette of meanings exchanged between giver and receiver in the process of book gift giving. The theoretical part of the study is based upon the interpretative paradigm; the book itself is considered as a sign that has a communicative function and is capable of conveying meanings through the act of gift giving. The theoretical classification of situations for gift giving is based on David Cheal’s research, distinguishing between ritualized and personal occasions. The study uses a mixed methodology: survey data (N = 228) is combined with semi-structured interviews (N = 27). The respondents and informants were selected using respondent-driven sampling (RDS), a network-based recruitment method close to snowball sampling. The study sample consisted of residents of Moscow and the Moscow region aged 18 to 70 years. The data analysis revealed that the theoretical classification of suitable situations does not fully describe the gift giving of books — herein the occasions are distinguished by their significance (institutionalized occasions of the first and second order, situational circumstances). The qualitative part of the study identified eight categories of meanings in gift giving, reflecting the mediating function of the book in conveying meanings, such as: gifting for communication purposes, emotional support, creating sense of belonging and validation of the other. Other categories were also highlighted, including those reflecting the hierarchy between giver and receiver. The interpretation of the identified categories in the context of book gift giving is unique and opens the field for the study of other gift-giving practices with reference to their specific characteristics.