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Sequential Accommodation of Turn Taking and Turn Length

A Study of Courtroom Interaction

Second University of Naples, Italy, augusto.gnisci{at}unina2.it

Roger Bakeman

Georgia State University, Atlanta

The broad aim of this research is to show the usefulness of sequential analytic methods when studying courtroom interaction within a communication accommodation theory (CAT) framework. Mutual influences between lawyers and witnesses during courtroom examinations were studied. A previous study examined associations between the content of lawyers' questions and witnesses' answers. In contrast, the present study examines turn taking and turn length, each in relation to the other and both in relation to the content of the interlocutor's previous turn. Using sequential log-linear techniques, this study analyzes 1850 question—answer exchanges from 47 examinations. Results show that lawyers were effective in constraining the quantitative aspects of witnesses' turns and, to a much lesser degree, the content aspects. These and other results are discussed in light of the literature on courtroom speech and of the advantages of using sequential methods when studying CAT strategies.

Key Words: sequential analysis • accommodation • turn taking • turn length • courtroom language • legal interaction

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