The Imperatives λέγε and εἰπέ in the Dialogues of Plato: A Conversation Analysis Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/emerita.2023.02.2218Keywords:
imperative, verbs of speech, sequence organization, talk-in-interaction, ancient Greek, dialogue, Conversation AnalysisAbstract
This paper addresses certain uses of the imperatives of λέγειν in Plato’s dialogues. With the help of the methodological framework of Conversation Analysis, two clear trends are distinguished, each of which performing different functions in interaction. These trends are consistent with the positioning of the imperative either in the first or in the second part of an adjacency pair. In the first case, imperatives play a role in turn design, facilitating the recognition of the main action of the turn as a question. In the second case, imperatives function primarily as ‘go-ahead’ formulae. After examining this distinction, the article explores certain nuances generated by expressions used as alternatives to the imperative, such as the potential optative, in terms of politeness and characterization.
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