Discourse Approach to Turn-taking

3.2.4

Findings

More than 70% of the statement-form utterances with a falling tone provide the next

speaker with new information. The next speaker tends to start with a proclaiming tone

for his/her response. When the speaker is making an inquiry with a falling tone, the

next speaker responds to it using either a proclaiming, referring, or level tone. There is

no substantial difference in number between the three tones. With a referring tone,

more than 70% of the statement-form utterances make an inquiry for confirmation to

the next speaker. There is a tendency for the next speaker to start his/her response with

a proclaiming tone. When the speaker is referring to something common between the

participants, the next speaker responds to it using either a proclaiming, referring, or

level tone. There is little difference in number between the three tones. Regarding the

speaker’s utterances with a level tone, the next speaker responds to it using either a

proclaiming, referring, or level tone. There is little difference in number between the

three tones.