An Analysis of Topic Management Strategies and Turn-Taking Behavior in the Hong Kong Bilingual Environment: The Impact of Culture and Language Use

Abstract

This study builds on and contrasts with the earlier published framework of Du-Babcock by analyzing the topic management patterns and turn-taking behaviors of 10 additional groups of Hong Kong bilingual Chinese in their first- and second-language decision-making meetings. Although 8 of the 10 groups matched Du-Babcock's earlier findings, two groups did not and offered new reasons for such a result. The 8 replicating groups confirmed that different communication behaviors emerged in the domain of topic management for both Cantonese (first language) and English (second language) meetings, whereas the 2 nonreplicating group results indicated that second-language proficiency is likely a contributing factor that affects the topic management of Chinese bilinguals when participating in Cantonese and English meetings. This article discusses why the topic management patterns and turn-taking behaviors emerged as they did across these 10 additional groups. The article also suggests implications for international business communication practice and further research.