Originating from the Latin concept dialŏgus (which, in turn, derives from a Greek word), a dialogue describes a conversation between two or more individuals, who present their ideas or affections alternatively to exchange positions. In that sense, a dialogue is also a discussion or contact that arises with the purpose of reaching an agreement.
An example of this meaning of the word in question could be the following: “The leaders of the two most important political parties in the country established an intense dialogue to try to find a solution and thus establish an agreement with the objective of improve the economic situation.
The idea of dialogue can refer to a conversation. See Abbreviation Finder for acronyms related to dialogue.
Dialogue in literature
On the other hand, the dialogue can be described in the framework of a literary work, in prose or in verse, in which a conversation takes place or controversies arise between two or more characters. It is used as a textual typology in literature when two characters appear who make use of diegetic discourse and act as interlocutors.
In this literary field, we have to underline the existence of an author who established dialogue as a genre. This is none other than the Greek philosopher Plato who has an interesting work that is classified into four categories depending on the stage of his life to which they correspond.
Thus, in the first place would be the Socratic dialogues, which are the texts that he wrote during his youth and that focus on questions of an ethical nature. In second place are the transitional works that revolve around politics, and the third category corresponds to what are the critical dialogues that were carried out during his maturity and that are characterized by the fact that in them he talks about myths and ideas.
Finally, the fourth category is the one that encompasses the so-called dialogues of old age. In them, he not only raises questions already the protagonists of previous works, but also commits himself to addressing new themes such as, for example, medicine and also nature.
Conversation with historical figures
Likewise, we must not forget that, throughout history, many are the writers who have used the term dialogue to title some works in which they themselves “converse” with important characters or with certain elements of our daily life.
This would be the case, for example, of Victoria Ocampo with Dialogue with Borges or Gianni Vattimo with Dialogue with Nietzsche.
A dialogue enables communication between two or more individuals.
Dialogue as a communicative resource
In its most common use, dialogue is a form present in both oral and written discourse where two or more people communicate with each other. It is a valid and adequate resource to exchange ideas by any means, whether direct or indirect.
The dialogue can be either a friendly conversation or a violent argument. In any case, dialogue is usually spoken of as an exhibition and exchange of thoughts where the positions of the interlocutor are accepted and the participants are willing to modify their own points of view. That is why there is a consensus on the need for dialogue in fields such as politics, for example.
It is said that the will to power and authoritarianism tend to exclude dialogue, since they pretend that their truth is the only valid one and discredit the opinions of the opponents, in an attempt to strengthen their dominance.
Genuine dialogue tries to seek the truth and promote knowledge without prejudice, unlike rhetoric that seeks to persuade and convince through the manipulation of opinion.
