Simple Guide to Turn-Taking in English Conversations

Turn Taking in Conversation: A Guide for English Learners

Turn-taking is an essential part of communication. It refers to the way speakers alternate speaking during a conversation, taking turns to express their thoughts. Understanding the rules of turn-taking is crucial for engaging in smooth, polite conversations, especially in English-speaking cultures where the process is governed by specific unwritten rules. This guide explains turn-taking in simple, practical terms with examples to help you learn how to take turns effectively in a conversation.

What is a Turn?

A "turn" in conversation is the period when a speaker holds the floor to express an idea, ask a question, or share information. Turns can be short, like a quick question and answer, or longer, like when someone gives a speech.

For example:

• A: "What's the time?"
• B: "It's 9 o'clock."

Or, a longer turn might happen when someone is telling a story or giving a lecture.

What is Turn Taking?

Turn-taking is the system that helps us know when it's our turn to speak and when to listen. It ensures that conversations flow smoothly and that all participants have a chance to contribute. In spoken conversations, speakers often indicate the end of their turn using clues like intonation (how their voice rises or falls), pauses, or even by directly inviting others to speak.

For example:

• A: "Didn't something similar happen to you once, Jean?"
  Here, A is inviting Jean to respond.

In contrast, speaking over someone without these signals is considered rude and is called "interrupting." Interruptions can disrupt the flow of the conversation and may be seen as impolite.

The Study of Turn Taking

Turn-taking is studied in a field called "conversation analysis." It looks at how people manage the exchange of turns, how they signal when their turn is over, and how they take turns effectively. According to Richards (1992), conversation is a collaborative process, meaning that speakers work together to take turns and keep the conversation going. Each speaker has an opportunity to become both a speaker and a listener.

Exceptions to Turn Taking

While turn-taking is mostly organized and orderly, there are some exceptions. One important exception is back-channel language. These are short phrases like "Really?", "Uh-huh", or "That's amazing!" that listeners use while someone else is talking. These short responses show that the listener is interested and encourages the speaker to continue. These phrases don’t interrupt the conversation but help maintain its flow.

It’s also important to note that interrupting is not the same as back-channeling. Interrupting means taking the floor in the middle of someone else's turn, which is generally considered rude. On the other hand, back-channeling shows support and helps the conversation progress without taking over.

Turn Taking in English-Speaking Cultures

In English-speaking cultures, turn-taking is highly organized. Speakers avoid long pauses in conversation and work together to prevent overlap, where two people speak at the same time. Western cultures, in particular, view interrupting as impolite. The goal is to maintain a smooth, continuous flow of conversation.

Strategies for Effective Turn Taking

To participate well in conversations, you need to understand some basic strategies for turn-taking:

1. Recognizing when it’s your turn: Watch for signals from others, like pauses or eye contact, to know when it’s time to speak.
2. Signaling your intention to speak: Use body language, such as raising your hand or leaning forward, or use verbal cues like "I’d like to add", to show you want to speak.
3. Holding the floor: Once you begin speaking, try to maintain control of the conversation without being interrupted. Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
4. Recognizing when others want to speak: Pay attention to their body language or verbal cues, such as a pause or a question.
5. Yielding the turn: When someone else indicates they want to speak, allow them to take their turn. Be courteous and give them space to contribute.
6. Signaling you are listening: Use short words or phrases like "Mm-hmm", "I see", or nodding to show you are engaged in the conversation.

What are Adjacency Pairs?

Adjacency pairs are closely linked turns that usually occur in conversation. They are typically a question and its response, or a statement and a reply. The key feature of an adjacency pair is that the second turn is a direct response to the first.

For example:

• A: "What's your name?"
• B: "I'm James."

Common types of adjacency pairs include:

• Greeting – Greeting:
  A: "Hi!"
  B: "Hello!"

• Request – Response:
  A: "Can you help me?"
  B: "Sure!"

These pairs follow a predictable pattern and help maintain the structure of a conversation.

What is Overlapping?

Overlapping occurs when two or more people start talking at the same time. It is often a natural part of conversation, especially in fast-paced discussions. People might overlap because they are eager to respond, want to contribute something relevant, or are unsure if the other person is finished speaking.

For example, if Person A says, "I think the movie was great," and Person B immediately says, "Yes, especially the ending!", this is an overlap.

There is a difference between overlap and interruption. Overlap happens at a transition-relevance place—when it’s natural for the next speaker to start. On the other hand, an interruption happens when someone speaks out of turn, usually without waiting for the other person to finish their turn.

Competitive vs. Cooperative Overlap

Overlapping can be either competitive or cooperative.

• Competitive overlap happens when one person tries to dominate the conversation or cut the other person off.
• Cooperative overlap occurs when speakers work together to move the conversation forward. For example, a listener might overlap to ask for clarification or add more details to the topic.

Conclusion

Turn-taking is a vital part of effective communication. By understanding the rules and strategies of turn-taking, you can improve your conversational skills, whether you’re speaking English or any other language. Be mindful of how and when to take your turn, and always listen attentively to others. By practicing these strategies, you’ll be able to engage in smooth, polite, and enjoyable conversations.

References

Richards, J. C. (1992). Longman dictionary of language teaching and applied linguistics. Longman.

Sacks, H. (2004). Lectures on conversation. Blackwell Publishing.