metaconversational

Metaconversational is an adjective used to describe phenomena that pertain to the conversation about the conversation itself. It refers to meta-level discourse that analyzes, comments on, or regulates the ongoing interaction, rather than the substantive content of what is being discussed. In practice, metaconversational moves draw attention to the structure, norms, or aims of the dialogue.

Metaconversational activity is distinct from, but related to, metacommunication. Metacommunication concerns messages about communication as such, while metaconversational focus is specifically on how talk is produced, negotiated, and managed within the interaction. It often manifests as explicit questions or statements about turn-taking, topic control, or alignment, as well as nonverbal signals that signal a desire to reorient the conversation.

Examples appear across domains. In everyday conversation, a speaker might say, “Are we still on topic?” or “Let me summarize what we’ve agreed so far.” In counseling or mediation, facilitators may employ metaconversational prompts to regulate process. In online discussions or classrooms, instructors and moderators use metaconversational cues to set norms, restart stalled threads, or invite participation.

Scholars in discourse analysis, communication studies, and related fields study metaconversational practices to understand how conversations are steered, how misunderstandings are avoided, and how power or attention is negotiated. The term is primarily used in academic contexts and is often discussed in relation to metacognition, reflexivity, and pragmatics.