Turn Taking in Academic Meetings at Hebron University

Abstract

Turn taking and gender differences constitute a fundamental area of research in sociolinguistics dealing with diversity of relations, patterns and practices (Lakoff 1975, Coats 2004). The present research examined the gender differences with reference to turn taking phenomenon in academic settings at Hebron University. The analysis relied on naturally occurring data that was gathered from two different academic meetings that took place in Department of English at Hebron University during the spring semester of 2016. This research aimed at providing empirical evidence regarding gender difference stereotypes; the extent to which these stereotypes and assumptions are accurate. Findings indicate that females are more likely to take turns in conversation which supports the proposal that women’s greater turn taking rates can be attributed to interpersonal sensitivity rather than lack of assertiveness (Leaper, C., & Robnett, R. D. 2011). In fact, the results of this study contradict Abdelrahim (2006) who states that females remained silent and shy in the presence of males. Results revealed that females who took the part of ‘decision-makers’ succeeded in choosing, developing and discussing their topics, and thus dominating the whole interaction.