ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G03-012 · ATLAS 259

Conversational organisation

Conversational organisation comprises the practices by which participants coordinate turns, sequences, topics and repair.

Part of the subject path Pragmatics and Conversation

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Conversational organisation adds participants' coordination of turn rights and repair as observable achievements. A prescribed conversational rule does not establish its actual local implementation.

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

Conversational organisation comprises the practices by which participants coordinate turns, sequences, topics and repair. With so, a speaker closes a side sequence and returns to the main topic; gaze and silence also contribute to the organisation. Discourse markers are resources for organisation, not a complete explanation of it. Removing one discourse marker does not necessarily remove the sequence organisation supported by timing and gaze.

Movement of thought

1. Identify a turn transition. 2. Locate sequence openings and closings. 3. Track topic movement. 4. Examine repair and embodied resources. 5. Assess the contribution of a discourse marker.

Scientific use case

Multimodal conversation analysis studies turn transition, repair and topic shift in synchronised recordings.

Example

With so, a speaker closes a side sequence and returns to the main topic; gaze and silence also contribute to the organisation.

Counterexample

Removing one discourse marker does not necessarily remove the sequence organisation supported by timing and gaze.

Distinction

Discourse markers are resources for organisation, not a complete explanation of it.

Effect on thought and perception

Analysis can reveal how discourse markers, gaze and timing work together.

Resonance

A conversation finds its way through several signals.

Provenance

Separate AI English review passed; final author file f69b81c80ae2de2a71d727c8a73448a9de4569250e40024fa9c9b714ccbcfa78

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Conversational organisation“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G03-012. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-012

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-012

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