Conversation of Augmented and Typical Speakers—Speaking Roles Versus Conversation Turns

Abstract

This study investigated a difference in conversations between individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and typically speaking partners by using contrasting methods of counting conversation turns and counting attributed speaking roles (i.e., animator, author, and principal) (Goffman, 1981). Three individuals who use speech-generating AAC devices and 27 typically speaking conversation partners were recruited. Each AAC user had conversations with nine typically speaking partners. The findings showed that counting numbers of attributed speaking roles showed a significantly greater symmetry of conversations than counting numbers of conversation turns. The value of the measurement of speaking roles was highlighted and discussed.