CONVERSATION STRUCTURE Conversation is as a way of

CONVERSATION STRUCTURE

Conversation is as a way of using language socially, of ‘ doing things with words’ together with other persons. Conversation has its own dynamic structure and rules and it is organized in sequence in order to make the conversation meaningful, enjoyable and understandable. There are two kinds of conversation purposes. Transactional: to obtain goods or services, to organize some sort of action, to pass on real information Interactional: used when people relate to each other The purpose of arranging conversational structure is keeping the flow of conversation going and avoiding ‘overlap’ or ‘conversational traffic jam’. Overlap in conversation happens when both speakers speak at the same time. It can be caused by the speaker who isn’t interested in listening to any answer or response from the listener. The other reason can be competition between speakers in some conversation.

Conversational structure is methods used by speakers to structure conversation efficiently or manage conversational turns. The structure of Conversation: Openings Initiating exchanges that establish social relations Middle Topic negotiation and development Turn taking Feedback Closings Pre-closing exchanges Closings

TURN TAKING There are two terms that relate to conversation structure. They are turn taking and sequence. What is turn? It is a time during which a single participant speaks, within a typical, orderly arrangement with minimal overlap and gap between them. Speaker must know when he should stop and when he should speak now or later. A typical conversation is characterized by turn taking: one participant, A, talks, stops, another, B, starts, talks, stops, and so we obtain A-B-A-B distribution of talk between two participants. In turn taking, speakers know who should talk and when.

Features of turn taking For the most part, two or more people take turns at speaking. Typically, only one person speaks at a time. Usually, silence is avoided. If two people talk at the same time, one of them stops. Completion point is the point which signals that the speaker has finished speaking. Signalling about the end of a turn (completion point): • 1. Completion of a syntactic unit. • 2. Use of falling intonation. • 3. Pausing. • 4. Fillers (mm) (anyway). • 5. Eye contact, body language and movement.

Holding on to a turn 1. Not pausing too long at the end of an utterance, and starting straight away. 2. Pausing during an utterance, not at the end. 3. Increasing the volume by extending a syllable or a vowel. 4. Speaking over someone else’s attempt to take the turn. Speakers are permitted to talk in the following situations: • nominated. • self-selection.

Fillers are sounds or words that are spoken to fill up gaps in utterances. End-of-turn fillers. . . and I went to the store, you know. . and I went to the store um Fillers at the Start of a Turn –You see, my company has a much stricter policy than yours. –Um, the one thing I'm thinking is, that it might be hard to see the stage from way back here. Fillers as Complete Turns A: But it's just really bizarre, if you ask me. B: Um, but I don't think so. . .

SEQUENCE It is a unit of conversation that consists of two or more adjacent functionally related turns. Sequencing plays an important role in the structuring of our conversation, not only on the level of formal signals, but also on the level of what the utterances mean, or of how they function. Types of Sequences • Adjacency pairs • Pre-sequences • Insertion sequences

Adjacency pairs An adjacency pair is a unit of conversation that contains an exchange of one turn by each of the speakers. The turns are functionally related to each other in such a fashion that the first turn requires a certain type or range of types of second turn. An adjacency pair is composed of two turns produced by different speakers which are placed adjacently and where the second utterance is identified as related to the first. Adjacency pairs include the following patterns: question/answer; complaint/denial or acceptance; offer/accept or refusal; request/grant or refusal; compliment/rejection or acceptance; challenge/rejection or acceptance, etc. reproach/ apologizing or denial Adjacency pairs typically have three characteristics: • they consist of two turns; • in most cases, the turns are adjacent, that is the second immediately follows the first; • different speakers produce each utterance.

In adjacency pairs the second turns (seconds) can be preferred, when they give an expected respond to the first pair. The seconds are dispreferred, when they give an unexpected response to the first pair. Adjacency pairs Example 1: invitation A: Why don't you come up and see me some time? acceptance B: I would like to Example 2: A: invitation Uh if you'd care to come and visit a little while this morning I'll give you a cup of coffee B: refusal Hehh well that's awfully sweet of you. I don't think I can make it this morning, hh uhm I'm running an ad in the paper and uh I have to stay near the phone

Preferred and dispreferred seconds firsts preferred second dispreferred second offer invitation acceptance refusal request compliance refusal assessment agreement disagreement question expected answer unexpected answer no answer

A preferred response is acceptance and is usually short, without hesitation or elaboration A dispreferred response is refusal and is usually performed hesitantly and elaborately The theory is very easy: If you ask someone to marry you, you hope a yes and you fear a no. Anything that is not a yes, including maybe (which is uninformative), extra information, being vague, being asked back something else, jokes, irony, anything, is a dispreferred • D: I was thinking we could have fish. • J: Fine. • A: Well, actually, I’ve stopped eating fish now because of, you know, the damage it does to the ocean. J’s response is a preferred response; it is short and not hesitant A’s response is a dispreferred response; it is hesitant and elaborate

Adjacency pairs exercises Define the type of adjacent pairs (question-answer; complaint-refusal etc. ) and state whether the response is preferred or dispreferred. • 1. "I really like your new haircut!" • → "Oh, thanks. “ • 2. "I really like your new hair colour!" • → "Oh, you’re just saying that. . . I don’t believe you. “ • 3. "Your phone is over there. " • → “Oh, yes. “ • 4. "Hiya!" → "Oh, hi!“ • 5. "Would you like to visit the museum with me this evening? " → "I'd love to!“ • 6. "Would you like to visit the museum with me this evening? " → “Sorry, I can’t make it. “ • 7. "What does this big red button do? " → "It causes two-thirds of the universe to implode. “

• 8. "Is it OK if I borrow this book? " • → "I'd rather you didn't, it's due back at the library tomorrow. “ • 9. ”Joe!”→ "Sir? ” • 10. ”Look! Look what you made me do! ”→ “I made you do? I wasn’t near you. “ • 11. ”You scared her when you yelled. It was funny. ” → “It was not yelling. I was warming up my voice. It was a voice exercise. “

Define the type of adjacent pairs (question-answer; complaint-refusal etc. ) and state whether the response is preferred or dispreferred. -Hello. : -Hi. -When is the bus arriving? -In ten minutes. -Jimmy! -Coming, mother. -Do you need help with that? -Definitely! -The room is a mess! -I was out! -Chocolate? -I’m on a diet, thanks. -It’s ten minutes past the hour. -I’m sorry, my car broke down. -Oh, before you go, what time do you want to meet tomorrow? -Well, I don’t know, I have some stuff to do. -Mike, come here immediately! - … (no response, he pretends not to hear) - I would like another helping of that dessert! - If I were you I would not. Look at you! You can hardly fit into your jeans! -Can I have some sugar? -Sure.

Pre-sequences Pre-sequence is a sequence which includes a turn recognizable as potential initiation of another specific type of turn; it is a kind of introduction to the main topic. Examples: A: Do you like Asian Food? B: Yes, why? A: I want to invite you to a new restaurant just around the corner. ……… summon is a turn preceding an explanation A: Mummy. (summon) B: Yes, dear. (answer) A: I need a hat. (explanation for the summon) …… Common types of Pre-sequences pre-self-identification (e. g. , Hi! ) pre-invitation (e. g. , Are you free tonight? ) pre-announcement (e. g. , You won’t believe this. ) pre-arrangement (e. g. , I would like to make an appointment later on. ) pre-request (e. g. , Do you have some coffee? ) pre-closing (e. g. , Okay) etc. Make up some conversation with pre-sequencing

Inserting Sequence An insertion sequence is a sequence of turns that intervenes between the first and second parts of an adjacency pair. The topic of the insertion sequence is related to that of the main sequence in which it occurs and the question from the main sequence is returned to and answered after the insertion. The normal flow of the conversation is not stopped in this case. Example: Agent: Do you want the early flight? Client: What time does it arrive? Agent: Nine forty-five Client: Yeah – that’s great

Insertion Sequences: two functions - clarification and delay A delay is an item used to put off a dispreferred second part. A dispreferred second part is a second part of an adjacency pair that consists of a response to the first part that is generally to be avoided or not expected (a refusal in response to a request, offer, or invitation; disagreement in response to an assessment; an unexpected answer in response to a question) A: Can you do it? B: What? A: Can you take care of it? B: Now? A: If that’s all right. B: Well, [pause] I mean, no, I’m afraid not.

Insertion sequence 1. Bob: What about my face? 2. Gage: What? 3. Bob: My face! Nobody’s doing anything. 4. Joe: Oh, I’ll help you apply the lotion. Utterances number 2 and 3 are called an insertion-sequence for clarification. Identify the insertion sequences and their function: • Linda: I’ll forget my lines. • Gage: What? • Linda: I’ll forget my lines. • Gage: No you won’t, Linda. You’re just nervous. …………… • Bob: Mr. Gage would you please check my makeup? • Gage: Oh my, who did that? • Bob: I did. • Gage: Give me a tissue. We’ve got to get it off.

DEFINE WHETHER THE CONVERSATION CONTAINS INSERTING SEQUENCES AND THEIR FUNCTION A: I wanted to order some more paint. B: Yes, how many tubes would you like, sir? A: Um, what's the price with tax? B: Er, I'll just work that out for you. A: Thanks. B: Three nineteen a tube, sir. A: I'll have five, then. B: Here you go. Try to make up a short conversation with inserting sequences.

PRACTICE Define the types of a sequence (question-answer; request-denial etc. ) and state whether the response is preferred or dispreferred. Define whether it contains pre-sequence or inserting sequence • Hello. • Goodbye. • I’m sorry. • That’s OK. Don’t worry about it. • I love you. • Thanks. -Do you like rock music? -Yes, why? -I have two tickets to Rolling Stones gig. What would you say? -Are you joking? I’m coming. • A: May I please speak to Rodney? • B: May I ask who’s calling? • A: Alan. • B: Just a minute. I’ll get him. • A: Gimme a beer. • B: How old are you? • A: 21. • B: Okay. Coming up.

Analyse the following dialogues in terms of the sequence structure and decide whether the response is preferred or dispreferred. Define whether it contains pre-sequence or inserting sequence • A: Can I have a bottle of whiskey? • B: Are you over twenty-one? • A: No. • B: No. • ------------ • Rose: Why don’t you come and see me sometime? • Bea: I would like to. • Rose: Great. • Do you need a lift? • Thanks, but I’m waiting for my friend.

Customer: Hello! Bot: Hello, how can I help you? ****** Bot: Would you like to order a taxi now? Customer: Helllooooo, I already ordered a taxi 5 mins ago! (ah no) ****** Bot: Would you like to place an order right now? Customer: Yes, please. ****** Bot: OK, then I'm reserving your seat for Atlanta 9: 00 am flight tomorrow. Customer: Yes, but I'm not going to Atlanta, I go to Athens.

In the dialogue between a customer(C) and a travel agent (A) below identify adjacency pairs. For each unit, decide whether it is a preferred or dispreferred second. Define whethere are pre-sequences and inserting sequences. 1. C: I need to travel in May. 2. A: And, what day in May did you want to travel? 3. C: OK, uh, I need to be there for a meeting that's from the 12 th to the 15 th. 4. A: And you're going into what city? 5. C: Seattle. 6. A: And what time would you like to leave Pittsburgh? 7. C: Uhhmm I don't think there's many options for non-stop. 8. A: Right. There's three non-stops today. 9. C: What are they? 10. A: The first departs PGH at 10 am and arrives Seattle at 12: 05 their time. The second flight departs PGH at 5: 55 pm, arrives Seattle at 8 pm. And the last flight departs at 8: 15 pm arrives Seattle at 10: 28 pm. 11. C: OK, I'll take the 555 flight on the night before on the 11 th. 12. A: On the 11 th? OK. Departing at 5: 55 pm arrives Seattle at 8 pm, USA flight 115. 13. C: OK.

IDENTIFY ADJACENCY PAIRS (AP). FOR EACH UNIT, DECIDE WHETHER IT IS A PREFERRED OR DISPREFERRED SECOND. DEFINE WHETHERE ARE PRE-SEQUENCES AND INSERTING SEQUENCES Customer: Please play Crazy from Britney. Bot: I'll put on Seal right away. Customer: No, Britney Spears. Bot: Alright, You Drive Me Crazy from Britney comes. Customer: Put on some good vibes, please. Bot: Sorry I didn't quite get that, can you maybe rephrase your sentence? Customer: Play some music please. Bot: Sure, what would you like to listen?

Identify the adjacency pairs, pre-sequences and inserting sequences (if any) in the following dialogues. Are the second pair parts preferred or dispreferred? Name the function of the words in bold. A: OK. Do you have the spanner? B: Yes. C: Can I have it please? B: [silence] P: Martin, would you like to dance? M: Is the floor slippery? P: No, it’s fine. M: Then I’d be happy to. Mother: Do you know who’s going to that meeting? R: Who? Mother: I don’t know! R: Um… probably Mr. Murphy and Dad said Mrs. T. an’ some of the teachers, you know. A: OMG, You won’t believe it! V: What happened? A: I won the lottery! V: Are you kidding me? How much? A: … (no response, just grinning cunnigly)

• A: Oh, hello Anne, what’s up? • B: Nothing much. • A: There’s something I want to ask you. • B: Alright, go ahead. • A: I’m kind of broke. Could you lend me some money by Friday? • B: You’re always broke, you should be more careful about your money.