The Role of Nonverbal Signals in Co-Ordinating Speaking Turns

Author:

Walker Michael B.1,Trimboli Carmelina1

Affiliation:

1. University of Sydney

Abstract

In a conversation between two people, a smooth transition from listener to speaker occurs when the listener takes the floor without interrupting but also without leaving a perceptible pause before speaking. According to Kendon (1967), as many as 50% of transitions in casual conversation may be smooth. This high frequency of smooth transitions in casual conversation implies a signalling system with which the speakers co-ordinate their turns. Several such signals involving both linguistic and nonverbal components have been suggested by past research. The explanatory power of these signals is critically analysed and this analysis leads to the conclusion that the currently accepted models of turn taking are unable to fully account for turn taking phenomena. Evidence is presented which points to the limited explanatory power of currently accepted models of turn taking. It is argued that insufficient attention has been given to the rhythmic structure of speaking turns and that currently accepted models of turn taking err by treating the signalling system as a purely digital structure. A new model of turn taking is proposed in which turn yielding signals are treated as a two stage process. Hypotheses derived from this model are presented and the possibility of experimental tests is discussed.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Linguistics and Language,Sociology and Political Science,Anthropology,Language and Linguistics,Education,Social Psychology

Cited by 10 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3