Adjacency pairs

<p>In <a href="/facts/Linguistics/oQuamvf2">linguistics</a>, an adjacency pair is an example of conversational <a href="/facts/Turn-Taking/aBRv1Qxb">turn-taking</a>. An adjacency pair is composed of two <a href="/facts/Utterance/LJLCwKDS">utterances</a> by two speakers, one after the other. The speaking of the first utterance (the first-pair part, or the first turn) provokes a responding utterance (the second-pair part, or the second turn). Adjacency pairs are a component of <a href="/facts/Pragmatics/KkK08yyI">pragmatic</a> variation in the study of <a href="/facts/Linguistics/oQuamvf2">linguistics</a>, and are considered primarily to be evident in the "interactional" function of pragmatics. Adjacency pairs exist in every language and vary in context and content among each, based on the cultural values held by speakers of the respective language. Oftentimes, they are contributed by speakers in an unconscious way, as they are an intrinsic part of the language spoken at-hand and are therefore embedded in speakers' understanding and use of the language. Thus, adjacency pairs may present their challenges when a person begins learning a language not native to them, as the cultural context and significance behind the adjacency pairs may not be evident to a speaker outside of the primary culture associated with the language.
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Adjacency pairs open-in-new

Adjacency pairs