Explanation
Two conversational contributions that are functionally related to one another, the first of which makes a suitable second contribution expected. In the atlas, the term is not treated in isolation: it illustrates structures of expectation between utterances. This reveals the distinctions the concept enables and how it relates to neighboring phenomena.
Example
Greeting – return greeting.
Counterexample
Two randomly adjacent sentences do not form an adjacency pair.
Distinction
Two randomly adjacent sentences do not form an adjacency pair.
Effect on thought and perception
The concept draws attention to the structures of expectation between utterances. What previously appeared to be a uniform process becomes perceptible as a structured relationship.
Resonance
Resonance arises when an adjacency pair is not merely named but experienced as a movement between form, expectation, and effect.
Cite this entry
Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Adjacency pair“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-088-012. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-088-012The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. A verified modification date per entry is not yet available. Include your access date for precise references.