Transition-Relevance Places in Video-Mediated Conversations

Abstract

Past research in turn-taking has found that turn-taking and transition-relevance places are important to smooth conversation. The use of video-mediated conversation technology impacts timing and formality of turn-taking and transition-relevance places. Because it impacts these two vital aspects of conversation, video-mediated conversation forces users to rework turn-taking mechanisms. In the present study, two conversations were recorded through Zoom to examine participants’ use of pausing as a transition-relevance place. Results revealed that pausing is common in video-mediated conversation, accompanied by hesitation to start turns and simultaneous turn starts, as well as incorrectly timed backchannel devices.