Overlap in turn-taking in signed mother–child dyadic and triadic interactions

Little is known about the development of the rules of turn-taking when signing, such as the extent to which overlap is allowed and when, and which attention strategies are used by signers when overlapping. This topic was investigated by comparing the more complex triadic situation (involving three people) of a deaf mother and her two deaf twins aged 5;6 years, together with how the adult communicated with these two children individually. Visual attention for the beginning of utterances was mostly established, but more so in the dyadic than the triadic situation. Seating position appeared to be relevant. More explicit strategies to attract eye-gaze were used in the triadic than the dyadic situation, including less usual strategies. Despite the conversation being between three people and needing checks with all participants, there was not more overlap in the triadic situation. Development in turn-taking is clearly still continuing after age six years.