A Grammar of German Sign Language (DGS)

Two of the interlocutors might sign at the same time. Illustration of overlapping turns can be seen in the figure below.

 

Overlaps can occur as a joint turn construction. Other interlocutors can add information to the active interlocutor. The following example is an illustration of a joint turn construction:

 

Interlocutor-1: meaning maybe some day     covering-ear      palm_up

Interlocutor 2:                                    bad ix bad dangerous palm_up

 

Interlocutor-1: ‘And maybe it needs to be replaced and then you are simply deaf for a

Interlocutor-2:                                  ‘That is the worst. Exactly, that is the worst case.’

 

Interlocutor-1: some day communication deficiency_in_communication very

Interlocutor 2:                                          replacement none

 

Interlocutor-1: a couple of days. Then the communication doesn't work for a couple of days.’

Interlocutor-2:                                         ‘And they don't have a replacement’

 

(CDGS, 02:13:02-02:20:05)

 

Some overlaps are a result of a competitive turn constructions, as the example shows:

 

Interlocutor-1: attention ix₁ believe also have-to relation-to digital ci

Interlocutor 2:

 

Interlocutor-1: ‘I think, the fact that you had to pay for the digital hearing aids

Interlocutor 2:

 

Interlocutor-1: hearing_aid before self pay self pay let me think

Interlocutor 2:                                                           money ix₁ say not

 

Interlocutor-1: yourself... Paying yourself also played a role … ... a second, let me...’

Interlocutor-2:                                            ‘I am not talking about the financial side...’

(CDGS, 04:42:02-04:49:40)