A SIMPLEST SYSTEMATICS. The tum-taking system for conversation can be described in terms of two components and a set of rules, as follows.

• 3.3. RULES. The following seems to be a basic set of rules governing turn construction, providing fOr the allocation of a next turn to one party, and coordinating transfer so as to minimize gap and overlap.
  • (1) For any turn, at the initial transition-relevance place of an initial turn-constructional unit:
    • (a) If the turn-so-far is so constructed as to involve the use of a 'current speaker selects next' technique, then the party so selected has the right and is obliged to take next turn to speak; no others have such rights or obligations, and transfer occurs at that place.
    • (b) If the turn-so-far is so constructed as not to involve the use or a 'current speaker selects next' technique, then self-selection for next speakership may, but need not, be instituted; first starter acquires rights to a turn, and transfer occurs at that place.
    • (c) If the turn-so-far is so constructed as not to involve the use of a 'current speaker selects next' technique, then currenl speaker may, but need not continue, unless another self-selects.
  • (2) If, at the initial transition·relevance place of an initial turn-constructional unit, neither la nor 1b bas operated, and, following the provision of 1c, current speaker has continued, then the rule set a-c re-applies at the next transition-relevance place, until transfer is effected.

from Sacks, Scheggloff and Jefferson (1974)