What is overlap?

Definition
	Overlap is simultaneous talk by two or more conversational participants, irrespective of its status in participants’ minds as an interruption.

Discussion
	Analysts consider an overlap to result from factors such as the following:
	The desire to start a turn before another so as not to miss the opportunity The desire to make a particular contribution while it is relevant Uncertainty as to whether the current speaker intends to continue

Kind
	Here is a kind of overlap:
	What is an obliterative overlap?

Sources
	Moerman 1988 19–20, 25
	Murray 1988 115

Context for this page:

Concept module: overlap
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): O
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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