Conversation patterns of three adults using aided speech: variations across partners

Abstract

This exploratory study describes the conversation patterns of three aided speakers and their communication partners and focuses on the question of whether patterns vary across different types of partners. The aided speakers were videotaped engaging in unstructured conversation with both a natural speaker and another aided speaker. Comparisons of conversation patterns were made across the two types of conversation dyads. The study explores several questions relating to conversational control, including (a) who introduces topics of conversation, (b) whether partners are equally likely to make conversational contributions, (c) whether summoning power is distributed equally, and (d) what proportion of the interactions are devoted to conversation repair, as opposed to topic development and other conversation maintenance functions. The findings suggest that patterns varied markedly across the two types of conversation dyads and that conversations between the aided speakers were noticeably more symmetric and less likely to require repair. Implications are discussed, as well as suggestions for future research.

• aided conversation
• conversation control
• partner roles