Here's a breakdown:
* Inter-: This prefix means "between" or "mutual".
* Locu: This root comes from the Latin word "loqui," which means "to speak."
* -tor: This suffix indicates an agent or performer.
Therefore, an interlocutor is someone who engages in speech, either in a formal or informal setting.
Examples:
* In a courtroom, the lawyer and the witness are interlocutors.
* In a debate, each participant is an interlocutor.
* In a therapy session, the therapist and the patient are interlocutors.
Key points:
* The term implies an active role in the conversation.
* It can refer to anyone involved in the dialogue, not just the speaker.
* It is often used in formal contexts, but can be used generally.