Simplest Systematics for Turn-Taking (Language) (1974)

Schegloff Media Archive clips for:

Harvey Sacks, Emanuel A. Schegloff and Gail Jefferson: “A Simplest Systematics for the Organization of Turn-Taking for Conversation,” Language, 50, 4 (1974) 696-735 .

The organization of taking turns to talk is fundamental to conversation, as well as to other
speech-exchange systems. A model for the turn- taking organization for conversation is proposed,
and is examined for its compatibility with a list of grossly observable facts about conversation. The results of the examination suggest that, at least, a model for turn-taking in conversation will be characterized as locally managed, party-administered, interactionally controlled, and sensitive to recipient design. Several general consequences of the model are explicated, and contrasts are sketched with turn-taking organizations for other speech-exchange systems.