Conversational Dynamics: How Abstraction and Abstractness Ebb and Flow in Interaction

The workshop explores key questions surrounding the emergence of abstraction and abstractness in conversation, and how social context intertwines with these variables to shape meaning.

  • Date: 03 APRIL 2025  from 9:00 to 18:00

  • Event location: Aula Poeti, via Strada Maggiore, 45 Bologna - In presence and online event

Abstraction, both as a cognitive and linguistic phenomenon, is a dynamic and ever-evolving process shaped by social interaction. In conversation, the lines between abstract and concrete meanings are not fixed, but shift and blur as participants collaboratively construct and negotiate meaning. This fluid interplay is influenced by varying levels of specificity, vagueness, and contextual grounding, highlighting the adaptive nature of language in real-time communication. The workshop seeks to explore the key questions surrounding the emergence of abstraction in conversation, the role of conversational repair in managing ambiguity, and how social context intertwines with abstractness to shape meaning. By bringing together leading experts in linguistics, cognition, and social interaction, the event promises to uncover the subtle mechanisms behind how abstract concepts flow and transform in dialogue, shedding light on the intricate, contingent nature of human meaning-making.

This event will feature national and international speakers who are experts in linguistics, cognition, social interaction, and conversation (see the flyer for details). 

Anna M. Borghi “Abstract concepts, vagueness and social interaction” 

Riccardo Fusaroli “Reaching abstraction through conversation” 

Bodo Winter “Iconicity, birds, and the limits of language” 

Caterina Mauri “Cooperative meaning-making in linguistic interaction”  

Mark Dingemanse “Interactive repair and the foundations of language” 

Caterina Villani “Abstractness and Specificity in dialogue” 

The workshop will take place both in person and online: 

  • Location: Aula Poeti, Strada Maggiore, 45, Bologna 

Participation is free but we kindly ask you to confirm your attendance by March 21st by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/hsFVp4byWafCc38a7  

As with previous seminars organized by the Abstraction group, the event will be recorded and made available a few days after the workshop on the Abstraction project website.