Cognitive disorders as a source of variation in dialogues

A preliminary analysis of multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Participating in a dialogic conversation requires complex skills for interpersonal coordination. During turn-taking, for instance, conversational partners have to rapidly agree on who speaks next and when. This requires that they already start planning their utterances when listening to their interlocutors. This study investigates speech planning in French dialogues, by determining whether coordination mechanisms depend on speakers’ cognitive abilities. We look at the effects of working memory and speed of processing in individuals with cognitive disorders and in particular with patients affected by multiple sclerosis. It is hypothesized that differences in speakers’ cognitive capacities will result in different adjustments in gaps between patients with/without cognitive deficits. To test this, we have analysed the duration of gaps game in 24 dyadic interactions (36 participants). Preliminary results suggest that longer gaps indicate more preparation time for turn-taking for patients with cognitive deficits.