interlocutor

/,intə'lɔkjutə/

Thân thiện

Two interlocutors discuss a topic over coffee at a small cafe table.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who takes part in a conversation or dialogue: An interlocutor is someone who is actively engaged in talking with one or more other people.
   • A performer in a specific role: In the context of a minstrel show, the interlocutor is the performer in the middle of the line who engages the other performers in talk, often acting as a master of ceremonies or a straight man.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Conversational Participant):
  • During the debate, each interlocutor presented their arguments clearly.
  • She was a skilled interlocutor, making everyone in the discussion feel heard.
• Noun (Minstrel Show Performer):
  • The interlocutor in the old minstrel show would ask questions to the end men, setting up their jokes.

Advanced Usage

• Formal/Diplomatic Context: The term is often used in formal, academic, or diplomatic contexts to refer to a participant in a dialogue or negotiation.
  • The diplomat acted as the primary interlocutor for her country during the peace talks.
• Legal/Philosophical Discourse: In legal or philosophical texts, an interlocutor can refer to a person who presents a counter-argument or opposing viewpoint within a discussion.
  • In Plato's dialogues, Socrates' interlocutors often challenge his ideas.

Variants and Related Words

• Interlocution (n): The act of conversing or dialogue.
  • Their interlocution was both intense and enlightening.
• Interlocutory (adj): Relating to or occurring during dialogue or legal proceedings (specifically, a provisional court order).
  • The judge issued an interlocutory injunction.

Synonyms

• Conversationalist: A person who enjoys or is good at conversation.
• Discussant: A participant in a formal discussion.
• Dialogist: A person who writes or takes part in a dialogue.

Related Phrases

• Interlocutor's role: Refers to the function or position of someone in a conversation.
  • Understanding the interlocutor's role is key to effective communication.
• Primary interlocutor: The main person engaged in a dialogue or negotiation.
  • He was the primary interlocutor between the community and the city council.

Notes on Meaning

The word "interlocutor" primarily denotes a participant in a conversation. Its specific theatrical meaning related to minstrel shows is historical and less common in modern usage, but it is important for understanding older texts and performances. In contemporary English, the word is most frequently used in formal contexts to describe a person engaged in dialogue.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a person who takes part in a conversation
2. the performer in the middle of a minstrel line who engages the others in talk

Từ đồng nghĩa

• conversational partner
• middleman