Similarities and Differences Across Settings: The Case of Turn Continuations in Instant Messaging

This chapter discusses the similarities between conversational practices across different settings, in particular the settings supported by various communication media. We argue that the similarity of practices across media is theoretically plausible, but also that each specific claim of similarity needs to be rooted and sized against the interactional implications of the practices at stake. As an example, we consider the case of turn extensions in instant messaging, a practice often considered distinctive of that mode of communication. Throughout the analyses of various cases of prospective extensions, we show how the practices of turn continuation observed in face-to-face interaction are re-mediated in light of the specific affordance of instant messaging.