Turn-taking

Turn-taking is a fundamental aspect of conversation and communication in which participants alternate speaking roles. It is a key component of discourse analysis and is studied in various fields such as linguistics, sociology, and communication studies.

Overview

Turn-taking involves the orderly exchange of speaking turns between participants in a conversation. This process is governed by implicit rules and social norms that vary across different cultures and contexts. The study of turn-taking examines how speakers manage the flow of conversation, signal their intention to speak, and recognize when it is their turn to contribute.

Mechanisms of Turn-taking

Several mechanisms facilitate turn-taking in conversation:

• Turn-constructional units (TCUs): These are the building blocks of conversation, consisting of words, phrases, or sentences that form a complete thought. TCUs help participants identify when a speaker has finished their turn.

• Transition relevance places (TRPs): These are points in conversation where a change of speaker can occur. TRPs are often marked by the completion of a TCU, a pause, or a change in intonation.

• Overlap and interruption: While turn-taking aims to minimize overlap, interruptions can occur. These may be cooperative, such as when a listener provides feedback, or competitive, when a speaker attempts to take the floor.

Cultural Variations

Turn-taking conventions can vary significantly across cultures. In some cultures, overlapping speech is common and considered a sign of engagement, while in others, it may be viewed as rude. Understanding these cultural differences is important for effective cross-cultural communication.

Research and Theories

The study of turn-taking has been influenced by several theoretical frameworks:

• Conversation analysis: This approach examines the structure and organization of talk in interaction, focusing on how participants manage turn-taking.

• Speech act theory: This theory explores how utterances function as actions, influencing turn-taking by determining the speaker's intent.

• Pragmatics: This field studies how context influences the interpretation of meaning, including how speakers negotiate turns in conversation.

Applications

Understanding turn-taking is crucial in various applications, such as:

• Human-computer interaction: Designing systems that can effectively manage turn-taking in interactions with users.

• Language teaching: Helping learners develop conversational skills by understanding turn-taking norms.

• Therapy and counseling: Facilitating effective communication between therapists and clients.

Related pages

• Conversation analysis
• Discourse analysis
• Pragmatics
• Speech act theory

References

• Sacks, H., Schegloff, E. A., & Jefferson, G. (1974). A simplest systematics for the organization of turn-taking for conversation. Language, 50(4), 696-735.
• Levinson, S. C. (1983). Pragmatics. Cambridge University Press.
• Yule, G. (1996). Pragmatics. Oxford University Press.

Turn-taking in conversation