	skip main nav Ling 131: Language & Style
	Home ¦ Introduction ¦ Contents ¦ Glossary

Topic 11 - Conversational structure and character (Session A) > Analysing Major Barbara > Task D > Answer

Analysing Major Barbara

Useful Links

Analysing Major Barbara

Task D - Our answer

Given that this is a two-party conversation, we would not expect the need for turn-allocation devices, as these are normally only necessary when there are three or more participants in a conversation. But actually Lady Britomart does indulge in turn-allocation, helping to indicate the extent of her domination of Stephen:

Turn 2:	She tells Stephen that it is not appropriate for him to take a turn, effectively silencing him.
Turn 5:	She tells Stephen not to make excuses. This could be seen as silencing him again or determining for him the kinds of turn he is allowed/not allowed to make.
Turn 17:	She tells Stephen not to repeat her words (determining the kind of contribution he can make) at the beginning of this turn, and at the end of it she allocates another turn to him, along with the speech act character it should have ('You must advise me').
Turn 17:	She tells Stephen he must 'interfere'.

Stephen does not allocate turns to his mother, of course. Who would dare?


	Next: Task E - Who initiates the conversational exchanges and who responds?

Home ¦ Outline ¦ Contents ¦ Glossary