ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G03-046 · ATLAS 259

Converseness

Converseness relates expressions for the same relation viewed with their arguments reversed.

Part of the subject path Philosophy of Language, Thought and Knowledge

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Converseness adds the same relation viewed through reversed participant positions to the analysis of opposites. Antonymy alone is insufficient without the corresponding reversal of arguments.

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

Converseness is a meaning relation between relational expressions that describe the same situation with the participants assigned to corresponding reversed roles. In an ordinary direct transaction, if Lea buys a book from Nils as its seller, Nils sells that book to Lea. This illustration does not establish unrestricted equivalence between the lexical meanings of buy and sell: mediated purchases and other uses require separate analysis. The expressions are not related simply as assertion and negation. Reversing an action is also different: the change in perspective still describes the same event. Analysis holds time, object and other relevant conditions constant and tests whether the corresponding role reversal preserves the claim.

Movement of thought

1. Analyse a relational expression. 2. Identify its participant roles. 3. Substitute a possible converse. 4. Reassign the roles appropriately. 5. Check that the situation and relevant conditions remain the same.

Scientific use case

Lexical semantics can test candidate converse pairs for mutual entailment using controlled examples.

Example

“Lea is older than Nils” corresponds to “Nils is younger than Lea” under the same age comparison.

Counterexample

“Lea does not buy” is not a converse of “Lea buys”. A later return of the item likewise describes another event.

Distinction

Distinguish converseness from negation, gradable opposition and reversal of an action sequence.

Effect on thought and perception

The relation shows how language makes one relationship accessible from different participants' perspectives.

Resonance

The viewpoint changes sides while the relationship remains.

Provenance

Parallel source review reconciled 2026-10-07; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Converseness“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G03-046. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-046

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-046

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