Children's Talk (The Developing Child)

ISBN: 0674116356

Author: Garvey, Catherine

Condition: New

How do children learn the intangible rules of conversation? How do they make talk work? Adults usually regard talk as a simple means of conveying information. Catherine Garveys examination of childrens talk reveals, however, that much more than this goes on in any conversational exchange.Talk always takes place in a particular situation or context: the speakers are continuously interpreting what is going on, and they adjust their responses accordingly. To be sure that the message is received, children must learn to engage the attention of the other person, to take turns at talking, and to set up signals for the beginning and end of conversation. They learn to confirm that the intended meaning is understood and to evaluate the acceptability of the message, and they acquire an understanding of the ritual aspects of talk, including marks of courtesy such as please and thank you, displays of attentiveness, and an awareness of interpersonal status. Children must also learn to say no, to use talk to reach a goal, and to interpret the differences in the ways other people talk.Garvey explains the importance of talk to childrens socialization and development and shows why talk is an integral and revealing part of the childs life that reflects important changes in thinking and social interaction.