Turn-taking in conversation: Gaps and overlaps

Transition space Transition space is the space in which turn-taking can happen and begins just before the end of a turn and continues after the completion of the turn. The normal value of the turn space is a beat of silence. A normal turn space indicates that nothing special is being done in the turn-taking. Transition spaces can also be longer than normal or shorter than normal. These have interactional significance.

Longer than normal transition space A longer than normal transition space is heard as a gap or silence in the talk. Gaps come in two types: Intra-turn silence is treated as a pause belonging to a speaker. Inter-turn silences which may either be heard as belonging to a particular next speaker or may be heard as “unallocated”.

Inter-turn pauses Inter-turn pauses may occur at places where no speaker is selected. These are not heard as belonging to a particular speaker. 

Inter-turn pauses Inter-turn pauses that occur after a speaker has selected a next speaker are heard as belonging to the next speaker. Such pauses are accountable – they are interpreted as indicating a problem in the interaction. 

Shorter than normal transition space One way to reduce the transition space is for the next speaker to latch his/her talk to the talk of the prior speaker.

Shorter than normal transition space The transition space may be further reduced to create a small amount of overlapping talk between the current speaker and the next speaker.

Shorter than normal transition space Shorter than normal transitions spaces are interactionally important. In multiparty conversation, they may indicate competition between speakers for the floor.

Shorter than normal transition space Competition for the floor or mistiming of speaker change do not explain all instances of overlapping talk. In this extract, Carol’s talk shows early up-take of Joe’s talk.

Shorter than normal transition space A reduced transition space can indicate some problem, as in cases of disagreement or rejection of prior talk

Shorter than normal transition space Overlapping talk can also be used to display enthusiasm

Problematic overlap Overlapping talk is sometimes unproblematic. In unproblematic overlap, the interaction continues and participants do not orient to the overlap. Unproblematic overlap is usually the case where participants show rapid uptake of the prior talk or enthusiasm. Other instances of overlap are problematic. Problematic overlap typically occurs during points which are not close to possible completion points. Participants orient to the overlap as a problem in turn-taking. Participants work to re-establish turn-taking.

Problematic overlap Problematic overlap may be found where two speakers begin at the same time. Other instances are instances of speaker change away from TRPs.

Possibilities for overlap Most overlapping talk consists of only two people talking at the same time. This can happen in different ways. B A C

Resolving overlapping talk Problematic overlap needs to be resolved by participants when it occurs. Schegloff (2000) has outlined an overlap resolution device which is employed by conversationalists to deal with problematic instances of overlap. It is composed of three elements: a set of resources which can be used in the production of a turn a set of places in a turn at talk in which these devices can be deployed an interactional logic which relates the resources and places.

Resources for resolving overlap Participants employ hitches and perturbations in talk to deal with problematic overlap. Common hitches are: cutting off the talk so far, usually in conjunction with an oral stop, such as a glottal or velar stop prolonging a segment of talk repeating a just prior element. Common perturbations are: increased volume higher pitch faster or slower pace of talk

Places for deploying overlap resolution devices Hitches and perturbations can be employed at a range of different points in the talk. The first point at which participants can begin to deal with an overlap is just before the overlapping talk begins (pre-onset position). 

Places for deploying overlap resolution devices Most overlap is resolved after the overlap has begun. Many attempts at overlap resolution which begin just after the overlap itself begins (post-onset position). 

Places for deploying overlap resolution devices Hitches and perturbations can be deployed just before possible completion to hold talk until a projected completion has dealt with the overlap (pre-resolution position). 

Places for deploying overlap resolution devices Overlap resolution devices are also sometimes employed after a speaker’s talk has emerged into the clear (post-resolution position). 

The interactional logic of overlap resolution The relevant organisational unit for the resolution of overlap is the ‘beat’. A beat is roughly equivalent to a syllable. During overlap, what each speaker does at each beat of overlap can be examined as an instance of what speakers do in relation to the immediately preceding beat.

Timing of overlap resolution The first beat of overlapping talk is the point where the overlap happens. At the second beat overlap can potentially be resolved by one of the participants ceasing to speak. Alternatively, one of the participants can begin to speak competitively for the floor (e.g. by using hitches or perturbations in talk)

Timing of overlap resolution If overlapping talk continues for a further beat, participants are able to register each others’ stance in relation to the talk – that is that both are continuing. At this point the third beat becomes the place where the overlap can be resolved or competitive talk can be used. These options continue to be available beat by beat until overlap is resolved.

Timing of overlap resolution Much overlap is resolved after a single beat by the withdrawal of one or both parties to the interaction. 

Timing of overlap resolution Where overlap survives beyond the first beat, the majority of overlaps are resolved one beat after a speaker upgrades to competitive talk. 

Success in overlap management Success in overlap management can be seen in winning the floor, there are three other criteria for success: persistence to completion; persistence to projecting the thrust of the turn; and achievement of sequential implicativeness.