Conversational turn-taking and repair in fluent aphasia

Abstract

This study replicated and extended the previous investigation of conversational turn-taking in fluent aphasia by Schienberg and Holland. The present study analysed a series of casual conversations which were videotaped between two fluent aphasic speakers talking with each other, and with non-aphasic partners who varied with regard to clinical experience with aphasia and personal familiarity with the aphasic speakers. Analysis was based on transcription and examined general aspects of turn-taking, as well as turn allocation techniques and their success, with results being compared with those presented by Schienberg and Holland. Additionally, repair trajectories and their acceptance were analysed for each dyad. Results supported Schienberg and Holland's previous findings and conclusions with regard to the relative preservation of communicative competence in aphasia. Additionally, results suggest that measures of turn-taking allocation showed no effect of the familiarity of the partners. For some individuals, it was suggested that turn-taking techniques might be consistent across occasions of sampling, so long as the role relationship remains constant. Measures of repair showed no effect of familiarity, and varied across occasions of sampling.