A Dissertation by GRACE HUI-CHIN LIN Submitted to the Office of ...

No response and change topic
(Avoid a topic that interlocutors can not easily continue with little
mutual comprehension. The listener rarely responses to speaker,
when there is very little mutual comprehension. The topic needs to
be changed in time. )
A: What do you think will happen to these homeless
children in the future? Do they have a future?
B: They still have a future, but they might have be more
assiduous then the others.
A: ( A doesn’t know that is assiduous)
Do you like to talk about how the social workers
can do for the children’s education? ( change the
topic for a little bit)
B: Yeah, if the children can get enough education, their
future can be better ensured.
A: I agree with you. Education is a solution for homeless
problem. But, how their parents can be assisted as well?
B: If the government can train them to be skillful and find
a job, they will not be homeless anymore.
No response and change topic
A: Hay, today is Saint Patrick Day in the
US.
B: ( B does not know anything about
Saint Patrick Day, so he does not
response at all)
A: ( Since B does not response, A
change a topic)
Do you know how to play football.
How about you come and play with
me this Saturday afternoon.
B: OK, I know how the PK game and touch
down……
No response and change topic
A: I like to watch water ballet in Olympic
game very much.
B: ( B doesn’t know anything about water
ballet, so he does not respond A at all)
A: ( Since B does not respond, A changes a
topic) Did you go to any movie recently?
B: Yes, I watched Crouched Tiger and
Hidden Dragon on TV last night.
A:….( continue the movie topic)
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