dialoguese

Dialoguese is a term used in speculative linguistics and fiction to denote a constructed language designed to optimize human and machine dialogue. As a concept, it focuses on clarity, turn-taking, and discourse management, aiming to reduce ambiguity in dialogic exchanges. There is no single standard, and variations exist across different writers and researchers.

Key features commonly attributed to Dialoguese include explicit turn-taking markers, a limited set of core verbs, and a publication-friendly syntax that favors topic-comment structures over free word order. The lexicon tends toward transparent, context-independent meanings, with systematic affixes to mark modality, stance, and evidentiality. Pronouns and address forms distinguish social roles to smooth negotiation in conversation.

Historically, Dialoguese appears primarily in conlang communities and speculative fiction as an idealized language for diplomacy, negotiation, or AI interfaces. It is typically presented as a tool to study dialogue dynamics rather than a language intended for real-world adoption. Many variants emphasize different aspects of discourse; no authoritative standard exists.

In contemporary discussions about language and technology, Dialoguese serves as a heuristic for designing dialogue systems, user interfaces, and language games. It is used in demonstrations of how clearer discourse markers and predictable grammar can improve user understanding and interaction with AI agents.