Interruption and Turn-taking

Turn construction units (TCUs)

TCUs are turns at talk, e.g. in sentences, clauses, single words or phrases

Interruptions - definition (West / Zimmermann; 1975,1983)

have the potential to disrupt a speakers turn and disorganize ongoing construction of the conversational topic of the first speaker; regarded as a hostile act

Interruptions - definition (West / Zimmermann; 1975,1983)

A second speaker begins speaking at what could not be a TRP; a violation of the first speakers turn; a device for exercising power and control in a conversation; a deep intrusion & penetration of first speakers utterance;

1. Interruption definition: (Jennifer Coates)

2. Interruption definition: (Jennifer Coates)

Interruptions break the symmetry of the conversational model: the interruption prevents the first speaker from finishing his/her turn, at the same time gaining a turn for oneself (second speaker).

Rules for Turn-taking: (Sacks, Schegloff, Jefferson, 1974)

a) current speaker selects next speaker b) c)

Violation of the turn-taking model (Jennifer Coates)

grabbing the floor hogging the floor (taking the floor although other speaker was selected) not responding (silence)

Interruption vs. Overlap (Tannen 1990)

High-involvement style: - little / no pause - supportive tags (hms, yes, ok.) - overlapping questions - fast-paced latching (elaborating on a topic) - conversation is not disrupted - shows interest and rapport

Conclusion
different conversational styles subculture, culture, individual style and predisposition situation