ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G03-010 · ATLAS 259

Conversation

Conversation is a jointly produced sequence of verbal and embodied contributions organised turn by turn.

Part of the subject path Pragmatics and Conversation

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

G · Foundational concept R2 · Necessary foundation

Conversation is needed to read utterances as jointly produced sequences rather than isolated sentences. Actual organisation requires interactional evidence rather than intentions alone.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Conversation is a jointly produced sequence of verbal and embodied contributions organised turn by turn. A question, a hesitant in-breath and a repaired answer jointly form a sequential conversational unit. Distinguish conversation from dialogue as a representational form and from mere co-presence. Two people silently occupying the same room have not thereby produced a conversation.

Movement of thought

1. Locate a contribution and its response. 2. Reconstruct turn allocation. 3. Assess pauses and embodied conduct. 4. Identify repair across contributions. 5. Distinguish interaction from written dialogue.

Scientific use case

Interaction research transcribes speech, pauses, gaze and overlap from naturally occurring recordings.

Example

A question, a hesitant in-breath and a repaired answer jointly form a sequential conversational unit.

Counterexample

Two people silently occupying the same room have not thereby produced a conversation.

Distinction

Distinguish conversation from dialogue as a representational form and from mere co-presence.

Effect on thought and perception

Sequential analysis can show how responses help shape the meaning of preceding contributions.

Resonance

A conversation also takes shape between contributions.

Provenance

Separate AI English review passed; final author file f69b81c80ae2de2a71d727c8a73448a9de4569250e40024fa9c9b714ccbcfa78

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Conversation“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G03-010. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-010

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-010

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.