Samtalsform

Samtalsform is a term used to describe the form or format of a conversation, especially in Swedish linguistic, educational, and media contexts. It refers to how participants interact, the organization of the exchange, and the function the dialogue serves, such as informing, teaching, or decision-making. In linguistics and discourse analysis, samtalsform denotes interactional modes that enable turn-taking, adjacency pairs (such as question–answer), alignment, and repair strategies. It contrasts with monologic forms like lectures or narratives and can vary from informal everyday talk to structured interviews.

In education, samtalsform denotes structured conversations between teachers and students, or between students, used for assessment, guidance, or learning dialogues. These conversations typically have a defined purpose, roles, and rules to ensure participation, safe expression, and reflective thinking. In journalism and media, samtalsform describes the interview and debate formats used to present information and viewpoints, often guided by a moderator and built around questions, responses, and follow-ups.

Typical features include the participants, the setting, the aims, the sequence and turn-taking, language style, and strategies such as summarizing, paraphrasing, and confirmation. The concept emphasizes interaction as a fundamental unit of communication rather than text-focused monologue. Variants range from informal chats to formal interviews, with sensitivity to context, culture, and power dynamics.