Languaging in Social Practices

The Role of Narrative Games in Shaping Diplomatic Conventions

Abstract

This article examines the role of languaging in shaping social practices, drawing on Maturana’s concept of consensual coordination. It posits that social practices are essentially enlanguaged activities, emerging and evolving through the conventions born from recursive interactions. Central to this argument is a reinterpretation of Maturana’s typology of conversations, suggesting it as a guide to the kinds of conventions that can emerge from consensual coordination. The article introduces an analytical framework conceptualizing narrative games as languaging mechanisms. This framework is informed by an abductive process based on radical linguistics and the analysis of 128 diplomatic conversation transcripts. In its conclusion, the article offers insights into how languaging plays a crucial role in establishing conventions and rules within social practices. It also examines the capacity of languaging to drive social change, underscoring the importance of future research in this area.