Maps and Journeys: An Ethno-methodological Investigation

The notion of the ‘cognitive map’ has long been central to studies of maps, wayfinding and navigation. In this paper we provide an alternate approach to studying map use which re-situates these activities as shared social and cultural practices. This paper draws on ethnomethodology and conversation analysis to study video of two examples of naturally-organised map reading. We explore how journeying with maps is part of the in situ organisation of matters such as workplace tasks, means of transportation, having a ‘nice day out’ maintaining friendships and so on. In our first clip a saleswoman consults an A-Z while stopped at traffic lights in order to plan the journey ahead. In the second clip, a group of friends consult a map as they set off for a daytrip together in a car. These clips provide a thick descriptions of map use, the detailed activities involved in map use.