Abstract
Small talk has received only limited attention related to its role in general clinical contexts. Interaction in the speech-language pathologist clinic provides a forum for exploring the role of small talk. Although its value is recognized in some speech-language pathologist contexts, little systematic analysis has been undertaken. This paper focuses on the identification of small talk in interactions between speech-language pathologists and adults with communication disorders associated with stroke and with chronic schizophrenia. Mapping the emergence of small talk in these domains of discourse demonstrates its positive influence on the therapeutic management of people with communication disorders.