Attending to What the Other is Saying: Korean EFL Learners’ Use of Backchannels in Conversation

Following conversation analytic procedures, this study examines the use of backchannels in conversations between Korean English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners to identify the patterns and functions found in the interactional practices. Specifically, the analysis focuses on the use of the backchannel tokens yes, yeah, uh huh, and mm hm occurring in turn-intial positions. The results show the learners’ use of backchannels coincides with performances found in talk of native speakers, yet at the same time, discloses distinct aspects arising from the not-yet-competent status as second language (L2) learners. The learners employed the tokens yes, yeah, uh huh, and mm hm as continuers to signal the listener's attention and assure the speaker of the speakership. In particular, yeah was used for systematically gaining speakership in ongoing talk. Contrastingly, the learners were also found to use first language (L1) vocalic forms as backchannels in their talk applying them in a disfluent manner for speakership incipiency. Such behaviors seem to arise from unfamiliarity with the prosodic features of the target language, English. The findings provide a closer understanding of Korean English learners' backchannel behaviors and of L2 interactional practices.