Topic shifting

Definition:

-A diversionary tactic in which one person in a discussion (a shifter) manages to subtly change the
discussion ‘s topic to another, related but different topic, without explicitly announcing the change of
subject or reaching any kind of mutual agreement that such a change is appropriate.

-According to Brown and Yule (1983), topic shift is the change of topic in a conversation. The speakers
add another subject of discussion to the conversation to make it more interesting and effective.

-McCarthy (1991) indicated that the topic shifting is very important in keeping the conversation going on
and avoiding silence. Therefore, speakers tend to talk not only about one topic but also relate it to
another topic which sometimes has relation to the previous and sometimes does not.

Reasons why topic shifting is done:

-The shifter feels better to be able to defend their point of view on the second topic than on the first
(which is not legitimate reason for changing the topic< but he shifter may be doing so without feeling it).

-The shifter views “winning the argument”, or even “not losing the argument” (e.g. allowing or
encouraging the argument to devolve into chaos, if a victory seems unlikely) as more important than
working towards a better understanding of the truth on the original topic.

-It is not always easy to identify where the preceding topic ends and new topic starts. The judgement
about topic shift can sometimes be intuitive. Reichman (1978) and Maynard (19183), however, found
some strategies that can be clues for topic shift.

Reichman shows the following five strategies as clues for topic:

1. Clues words and shifts and deictic expressions

“ By the way,” “but,” “yeah,” etc., indicate the start of the new topic

2. Explicitly labeled shifts

What I was saying before,” “speaking of X,” etc., can be markers to indicate topic shift.

3. Mode of Reference
Reichman focused pronominalization in discourse. In discourse, a speaker refers to an entity by a
pronoun or by a non-pronoun. The shift in pronoun and non-pronoun indicates a shift of his/her
attention to the entity, and a shift of topic.

4. Repetition of Words

A speaker sometimes repeats what he/she said in the preceding conversation, and it works to show the
topic has ended.

5. Tense Shift

Reichman pointed out that a switch in tense also indicates a topic shift. For example, to close a topic, a
shift from past tense to present tense is effective. And conversely, a shift from present to past tense
indicates the beginning of a new topic.
Maynard (1993) also pointed out four strategies that can function as markers of topic shift:

1. A pause in conversation
A pause indicates that there is nothing more to say about the preceding topic.

2. An expression to evaluate or summarize the preceding utterances

By evaluating or summarizing the preceding utterances, the speaker can imply an intention to close the
topic

3. A minimal response
Nodding, smiling, and repeating the comment of the addressee are examples of this strategy. These
strategies can mean that there is nothing new to say about this topic.

4. An adverbial and conjunctional phrase to indicate a topic shift

Similar to Reichman, a phrase like “by the way” is an example of this strategy.