Smooth Transitions in Conversational Turn-Taking: Implications for Theory

Summary When two people converse, they speak in turns. Typically, a transition pause occurs between the speaker relinquishing and the listener taking the floor. However, the phenomenon of smooth transitions in which transition pauses are perceptually absent has received little attention. The existence of smooth transitions has major implications for currently accepted models of turn-taking and it is argued that these models are inadequate. It is suggested, on the basis of the evidence available, that a major factor enabling synchronized turn-taking is anticipation of one's turn. Possible bases for this anticipation are suggested.