diàleg

Diàleg is a noun in Catalan that denotes a conversation or exchange of ideas between two or more participants. It can refer to everyday talk as well as to a formal or literary form in which characters speak in turn. The term may also describe a method of inquiry that emphasizes mutual questioning and response, as in philosophical or pedagogical contexts.

Etymology: The word comes from Greek dialogos, through Latin dialogus, and shares its origin with the Spanish diálogo and the English dialogue. In Catalan orthography, it is written diàleg, with a grave accent on the a, and its plural form is diàlegs.

Usage: In ordinary speech, diàleg describes a back-and-forth exchange that facilitates understanding or resolution. In literature and drama, it denotes the direct speech of characters, often arranged to reveal character and move the plot. Philosophical or ethical diàlegs pursue truth through reasoned conversation; historical examples include Socratic dialogues. In politics and diplomacy, diàleg denotes negotiations aimed at agreement or peace, emphasizing dialogue over coercion.

Variants and related terms: a reflexive form is diàleg interior (inner dialogue), and diàleg social or diàleg comunitari may refer to structured conversations among groups or communities. The word is closely related to other Romance-language terms such as diálogo (Spanish) and dialogue (English), which share the same etymological root.