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Elgin Suzette Haden
The Language Imperative: The Power of Language to Enrich Your Life and Expand Your Mind
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Description
How multilingualism enhances the human experience and why our decisions about "English Only" language policies are shortsighted. Many of us view language as a tool, a means by which to communicate our thoughts and emotions. But is there more to language than just "talk"? Can learning languages actually change the way you think? In The Language Imperative, best-selling author and linguistic scholar Suzette Haden Elgin examines the power of language to shape our lives. She confronts some of the most pressing issues parents and educators face today: Is it a good or bad idea for Americans to have command of more than one language? Should learning languages be a luxury for only the rich? Or should it be a goal of the public educational system as well? Based on solid science and filled with personal insights, The Language Imperative is required reading for anyone interested in how words shape our lives, both as individuals and as a nation.
Suzette Haden Elgin is a specialist in applied psycholinguistics and the founder and director of the Ozark Center for Language Studies, and has written many language-related bestsellers, such as the whole Gentle Art of Verbal Defense series and How to Disagree Without Being Disagreeable. And now she's come out with a new book on language, The Language Imperative, to tackle the issue of multilingualism. She suggests that people in the U.S. suffer a fair amount of confusion over the power and importance of languages. And she asks a number of questions, as well, such as "Is it a good or a bad idea for people in this country to have command of two languages?", Should we have an international language, or is this a silly (or perhaps dangerous) idea?", and "Do languages have the power to shape our lives as individuals and as a nation?" She sets out to establish the importance of multilingualism, to explain why there is so much confusion and contradiction when it comes to multilingualism, and to discuss the effects of multilingualism on individuals and communities. Elgin did a tremendous amount of research (from traditional sources such as journals and studies, as well as from hundreds of multilinguals around the world). She concludes that human languages do structure and influence how people think and perceive; that the link between language and culture is so strong that if you take away the language, the culture is lost; and ultimately, that multilingualism is terrifically valuable, and should be encouraged in all ways. Elgin fleshes out her ideas with interviews and examples, and presents all the sides that weigh in on these issues. Her voice is strong, her prose precise, provocative, and engaging, and her book worth the read--perhaps many times, and in a variety of languages. --Stephanie Gold
Customer Reviews
A well research defense of multi-lingualism
I have grown up continuously listening to and also speaking several languages. I have studied in three different continents. In my professional life and my dealings with many countries, I use three or more languages and am in an professional environment where several languages are spoken in my workplace. I have developed close professional and personal relationships in at least two languages (English and French). For these and other reasons, I therefore naturally gravitated to this book which examines key questions such as whether language affects human perceptions and what are the links between language and culture. Notwithstanding some marvelous research to its credit and mercifully straightforward language in a field (pyscholingusitics) famous for its obscure and inacessible jargon, the book fell short of my expectations. In retrospect, I believe it was because it embarked on a scope which was too broad and at the same time too narrow. Too broad, I think, because it tackles questions which are on one hand empirical - and thus the realm of science (e.g. how does language affect culture)- and on the other hand, normative - and the realm of policy (should we have a single language which everyone learns worldwide?). While the author should be admired for attempting to broach such a wide agenda, clearly in the interests of readability for a general non-specialist audience (including myself), I often found the discussion confusing these different sets of questions and thus somewhat inconclusive on both. Furthermore, the treatment might also be too narrow by its almost exclusive focus on issues prevalent in contemporary policy debate in the United States (e.g. bilingual education and language choices at home in immigrant homes). Deeper insights on these questions could be gained by considering how these issues have played out in many countries which afford a perspective both on the empirical and policy issues.I will cite only one of several examples of such countries which I know well - the island of Mauritius, where English is the official language reflecting its recent colonial history, but where a majority feel more comfortable in French because of a longer French colonial presence earlier in history, and where other languages - notably creole and bojphuri - are also spoken). I well expect however that worldwide research on these issues has still not matured, although I would have appreciated a clearer statement of the state of the art on this subject. On the second point, I should fairly point out that the author seems very well aware of the global dimensions of these issues. The book is in fact replete with references to different countries, languages and cultures. But nowhere does it focus deeply on how other countries outside the United States are struggling with many of the same policy issues. This critique aside, I learned much from this book. One of several insightful observations I enjoyed in this book, which was also conveyed in straightforward language, concerns how science fiction writers depict languages which non-terrestrial beings might use. Not surprisingly, the author notes, every single one of these fictitious languages turns out to contain characteristics found in human languages because, the author aruges, what counts as a language is part of what it is to be human. This statement by the author in fact turns out to be quite profound on further reflexion. I also enjoyed the transparency and clarity of the author, particularly in her clearly laying down at the start the questions on whcih she focuses and also warning the reader in advance on her position on these questions which are still controversial. Altogether, this book is a worthwile read in a field where much more such writing is needed as language issues are impinging more and more on domestic and external politics across the world.
2003-09-08
(Vienna, VA United States) | Helpful Votes: 7 | Rating: 3
refreshingly simple and yet complex
It is refreshing to read a text based on linguistic philosophy and the politics of language that is written in such readable language, though her accessible prose hardly lacks complexity of thought. Also, Haden is not afraid to voice her opinion instead of simply stating an accumulation of facts and citations. I read books to hear what other people are thinking, including the author. After researching and writing such an in-depth report, she'd better have some opinions of the subject matter! I'm glad that now, I know them too. The issues she covers are chock full of debate, so her intellectual views and personal views are more than appropriate. Overall, a strongly stated argument and informing book.
2002-05-02
| gfilip (Philadelphia, PA) | Helpful Votes: 4 | Rating: 5
thought provoking but opinionated
I bought this book looking for an interesting and informative discussion on the effects of language, and got just that. Ms. Elgin highlights the many contradictions our culture is grapling with, such as the argument to teach only in English in US schools. She also touches on the controvetial subject of whether or not language shapes our view of reality and approach to life. Despite the interesting subject matter and obvious research that has gone into this book, Ms. Elgin is quick to insert her opinions and just as quick to apologize for them. The book would have been vastly improved if these personal opinions had been eliminated from the text or mentioned in the preface or afterward, not after every new theory is introduced. Altogether an interesting and informative book which must be read with skepticism as it is so strongly opinionated.
2001-08-10
| Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 4
Communipath Worlds: The Communipaths, Furthest, and At The Seventh Level
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$2.75
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Customer Reviews
Classic Elgin that stands the test of time
Elgin's novels, combined into this volume (and updated recently with a short story at her live journal) are surprisingly pertinent and topical today, which you would not expect. Edit out two words and you couldn't tell the difference between a hugo contender novel released this year and what you get with the book.
The cover is high camp, I'm not sure if it was seriously intended or not when the book was written. Elgin is now a million plus volume seller.
But the books collected together under this cover are a gem that is worth discovering.
2008-07-13
(Dreamlands) | Helpful Votes: 4 | Rating: 5
You Can't Say That to Me: Stopping the Pain of Verbal Abuse -- An 8-Step Program
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Product Details
- ISBN13: 9780471003991
- Outfit: New
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Description
You can’t say that to me! "Can’t you do anything right?" "I can’t believe you would feed that junk to your child!" "What is this? And don’t tell me it’s a casserole, I already know that." "If you really cared about me, you wouldn’t behave this way." Sound familiar? Each of us occasionally feels the sting of very unpleasant language from those who are closest to us—spouses, employers, friends, relatives. But frequent and repeated use of unanswerable questions, scalding accusations, sarcasm, insinuations, and even icy silence is more than simply unpleasant; it is abusive, destructive, and frequently leads to escalating arguments and physical violence. Suzette Haden Elgin, creator of the "Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense," has developed a unique and revolutionary way to break the cycle of verbal violence and eliminate it from your life—without ruining your marriage, risking your job, or alienating friends or loved ones. Dr. Elgin shows you how to neutralize verbal attacks and discourage future abuse with: - An 8-step program that helps you recognize the patterns of verbal abuse
- Specific language techniques that enable you to avoid escalating arguments and break the cycle of abuse using skills you already possess
- Questionnaires and diaries that help you analyze abusive situations, evaluate your responses to them, and track your progress
In this book Dr. Elgin proves that verbal abuse is not caused by human nature, but by language. She helps you discover that you are an expert in your own language, already highly qualified to solve this problem for yourself, quickly and forever.
Customer Reviews
This is not about true abuse
I was deeply disappointed in this book. I am desperate to find some effective strategies for dealing with a verbally and emotionally abusive parent. The author makes one good point: that what abusers want is to get attention and a "rise" out of you. But her strategies for avoiding this are *only* useful for very *mild* cases. I laughed out loud at some of the techniques she thinks would work. She clearly does not know my abuser. She herself does note this, by saying that some people have an underlying problem that has to be solved before the abuse will stop. But what to do in that case? Her only answer is that you may have to leave, and of course one can't "leave" a parent. She completely ignores that the verbal abuser is usually blackmailing you in a very effective way until you give in to them. Ultimately, the book is misnamed. This is not about verbal *abuse,* but simply about becoming more effective communicators with normal people.
2010-07-16
| Pianofan (Ohio) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 1
You can't say that to me!
I've learned a lot from this book. Things that have helped me in my everyday life.
2009-04-22
| Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4
Verbal Defense is a Good Place to Start
Elgin's book brought tears to my eyes as I recognized myself in the examples provided in her book. What I liked best about this book is that I began to see that my relationship with my former husband was not my only instance of horrific verbal abuse. It forced me to admit to myself that all of my intimate relationships with men have been verbally abusive; and I came to recognize that verbal violence was a part of my regular communication with my siblings and my mother. What could this mean? I began to see that I was in fact the common denominator. This is not to say that I deserve verbal abuse or that it is my fault. The only coping skills I knew were to fall into my verbal abusers traps by pleading and debating. Not to mention the emotional aftermath of feeling like a worthless human being. Elgin provided me with an excellent selection of new verbal strategies. While it would be great if these verbal skills have an effect on the abusers in my life the real victory is that I will now have more control over how I react to the verbal abuse. I will now no longer be reduced to a mewling child begging for forgiveness for the rainy weather that somehow was my fault. What I struggled with was Elgin's implication that these systems are infallible. I think that presentation is dangerously flawed. Part of my abuse cycle is that my abusers had me convinced that my love was the most important thing in their world. I would therefore forgive them, believe them and accept their abuse because I felt responsible for loving them. "He loves me," I would think, "underneath it all he is a good person and he needs me." Therefore I endured these relationships and repeated my abuse cycle. Elgin unfortunately gave strength to that misconception. As I stated, I cried from this book because my first thoughts were ones of guilt: "If only I had this book sooner; I could have saved my marriage!" But I do know that even Elgin could not have helped me there. The truth is you cannot change another person with your own actions. You only have control of your own self. An abuser must ultimately accept responsibility for the pain that they cause. I do understand that the abuser inflicts pain to mask their own, but I know very few abusers who are willing to face their demons and change. I am excited to try her techniques in my life and begin empowering myself. However, abuse of any kind I will not tolerate anymore. In my situation, divorce was my only option. Sometimes the only way to end the abuse is to say goodbye. I wish Elgin had addressed that issue.
2008-11-24
| Infant Faire (Chicago, IL United States) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 3
Elgin agrees with my very favorite book of advice....
I became a fan of Elgin's after reading "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense." I needed that not just because of abusive people in my life, but because I had picked up some verbally abusive patterns myself. I read the reviews for Patricia Evans' books and right or wrong it seemed there was at times a lot of anger projected, however understandably. Apparently her books helped some folks very much and that is good. But my favorite Source of advice says: "Do not exchange insult for insult or [what it seems to me was in some of the reviews] rancor for rancor." "Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good." "Treat all persons [this means even abusers - though one can respectfully leave them if necessary!] with respect." This means we know we are entitled to be treated with respect too! "A gentle answer turns away wrath." "In all things, love." If it's not obvious, those quotes are from Scriptures. My humble opinion, if the advice in Elgin's book, and prayer, don't work for a particular person, then okay leave him or her before they hurt you more. This would be even more essential if children are involved, because they should not witness, and possibly learn, or experience the abusive treatment themselves. However, if the lost cause abusers are in your family or work place and you can't get away, distance yourself from them emotionally and physically as much as possible. "Do not make friends with an angry person lest you become ensnared in his ways." "Anger resides in the lap of fools." "He who controls his temper is mightier than one who conquers a city."
2008-10-10
| Lorica Lady (USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5
accessible, easy to apply in life
I ordered this book because it interested me when it was listed in the "people who order this book also recommend. . ." category when I bought another book on verbal abuse "Your Perfect Right". I read and use books often as a means of learning new information and skills and found "You Can't Say That to Me" to provide good information and an accessible means of using this information instantly in situations involving verbal abuse. Other reviewers have criticized the author's view of verbal abusers as just another means of communicating (rather than as "the bad guys") and have disliked the obvious stories used to illustrate her information points. I can see where such criticisms arise, but the author is very clear about categorizing abusers using "styles of speech" from a linguistic perspective and including the category of people who are verbally abusive because they are "psychologically disturbed". This helped me identify times when I think I'm am being slammed, but it is more a matter of communication styles and the interactions of our different styles, and times when I am dealing with someone who habitually uses verbal abuse as a means of domination, or building up themselves by putting down others. I think this book is extremely useful for people who are not tortured by chronic verbal abuse situations and an inability to defend themselves, but have times when they feel put down harshly but are not certain of the intent, nor how to respond without being self-defensive or abusive themselves. Her approach using knowledge of linguistics was not at all academically dense (as is "Your Perfect Right") and I found myself able to use the methods of analysis and response in real life as I was reading the book. Yes, many of her story examples are fairly simplistic, but this is not to over-simplify real life events, but to provide clarity about the information she is providing. It really is comforting to be able to think to myself "Yes, this person has their own problem and enjoys/benefits from abusing, demeaning, me - or - well, I can see how it came about that I felt put-down in the communication with this person because we were using conflicted styles of expression that fed on each other."
Also, when I read the list of other books by this author, I found that she also has written one of my favorite scifi/fantasy genre novel series "Native Tongue". This gave me a greater understanding of the author and how she views people and their linguistic styles. Although, the information in this book is easily understood and used by someone who doesn't really understand what linguistics is all about.
I would have put a fifth star on my review if the book also had provided more information on dealing with people who use language to purposefully demean and diminish me as a means of raising their own value. But, this is a big subject with many different aspects than the type of verbal abuse dealt with in this particular book. So, I will check out other books by Elgin to see if one is more focused on how to deal with abuse from people who really are trying to hurt me, and succeeding.
2008-09-03
(California) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 4
Native Tongue
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Description
Called "fascinating" by the New York Times upon its first publication in 1984, Native Tongue won wide critical praise and cult status, and has often been compared to the futurist fiction of Margaret Atwood. Set in the twenty-second century, the novel tells of a world where women are once again property, denied civil rights and banned from public life. Earth’s wealth depends on interplanetary commerce with alien races, and linguists -—a small, clannish group of families -—have become the ruling elite by controlling all interplanetary communication. Their women are used to breed perfect translators for all the galaxies’ languages.
Nazareth Chornyak, the most talented linguist of the family, is exhausted by her constant work translating for trade organizations, supervising the children’s language education, running the compound, and caring for the elderly men. She longs to retire to the Barren House, where women past childbearing age knit, chat, and wait to die. What Nazareth comes to discover is that a slow revolution is going on in the Barren Houses: there, word by word, women are creating a language of their own to free them from men’s control.
"Native Tongue brings to life not only the possibility of a women’s language, but a rationale for one,"—Village Voice
"Elgin takes up more than linguistics, of course—everything from religion to sex…the story is absolutely compelling."—Women’s Review of Books
Suzette Haden Elgin is author of twelve science fiction novels and is widely know for her best-selling series The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense and for The Grandmother Principles. She is director of the Ozark Center for Language Studies and is professor emerita of linguistics at San Diego State University.
Susan Squier is Julia Brill professor of English and Women’s Studies at Pennsylvania State University.
Customer Reviews
Fascinating speculative fiction
Basically, this is a speculative feminist science fiction novel based on linguistics. I've taken a bunch of linguistics classes and the book contains quite a lot of ideas taken almost directly from the field of modern linguistics. As such, if the reader isn't at least a little familiar with some of the terminology and concepts (ie: Universal Grammar, Language Acquisition, etc) parts of it may be confusing, although many of the concepts referred to are at least somewhat elaborated upon in the book. This isn't a fast-paced action scifi-novel, and as such may feel a bit slow if you go into it expecting such a book. It has more of a Margaret Atwood feel to it. In all, highly recommended.
2007-10-03
(Lawrence, KS United States) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5
Don't like science fiction but ........
This was the first Science Fiction book that our book club read. It was an "OK" read but it sure made for some lively discussions at book club!
2007-03-08
| Book Clubber (Pennsylvania) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 4
A very fun read!
I love science fiction, but I am very picky about it. This book was a well-written page turner from beginning to end. The characters are believable and well drawn. Each plot twist left me wondering what was going to happen next, the true definition of a good story. For anyone who doesn't think the world described in the book is likely, I laugh...especially today. Women in the book devise a language of their own, over the course of many years, that the men are totally oblivious to, and it changes the entire nature of who they are and how they relate to men in a way the men are entirely unaware of. What a concept! Many feminists have spent their lifetime finding words for concepts that men were totally and stubbornly oblivious to -- "rape" and "battered women" being the most obvious. Mary Daly is one of the most brilliant strategists in the study of the roots of the English language and how it diminishes women in and of itself. Learning about that process is incredibly empowering, and should not be taken lightly. Elgin takes that concept one evolutionary step further, and in the process makes the step creative, enjoyable and very, very fun. I loved this book!
2004-02-18
| geminiwalker (Massachusetts) | Helpful Votes: 8 | Rating: 5
Imaginative but dated, better social commentary than sci-fi
I first read this book over 10 years ago. Even then I thought it was a little dated -- the author was clearly reacting against the Reagan era and extrapolating a hypothetical future where women have become chattel (albeit somewhat pampered chattel). This is an "idea" book, and the ideas are fascinating. Laadan, the "women's tongue," (Elgin has actually created and published Laadan books), the power of communication, very alien aliens.. these are all interesting. If you are a linguist, a feminist, or someone who just likes far-out social speculation, this book will be interesting to you. It does have a certain hold on the imagination, such that I still remember it and think about it years later. But as fiction, much less as science fiction, it leaves something to be desired. The entire premise, that the U.S. will become a sort of genteel Protestant patriarchal dictatorship, falls flat. (Some people may argue we are already heading in that direction, but I really can't see the repeal of the 19th Amendment and every man in the country becoming convinced that women have no more intellectual abilities than children.) Technology and space exploration is poorly explained, all the "sci-fi" bits are handwaved and thus there are some notable gaps in my suspension of disbelief. The aliens and the interstellar society exist as a backdrop for Elgin to explore her social views, which is fine if you are reading the book for social/feminist-linguistic theory, but will disappoint if you are reading the book for science fiction. Most annoyingly, every single male character is one-dimensional. All the men are at best condescending egotists, at worst thugs. One is left with the impression that almost spontaneously, American society was taken over by a Protestant Taliban, and not one man ever questions the new social order. Aren't there ANY men who are not chauvinistic troglodytes, with egos so fragile that their world would fall apart if a woman ever demonstrated independence and competence in his presence? Not in this book, and not in many of Elgin's other books either. I also agree with another reviewer; the first book in the Native Tongue trilogy is worth reading. The second book was mediocre and unfocused and didn't seem to come to any resolution. The third book, rather than picking up where the second book left off, did not tie up any of the loose ends from the first two books, and instead seems to be little more than a poorly edited collection of short stories that happen to be set in more or less the same universe.
2003-09-27
| amadanb (NY) | Helpful Votes: 21 | Rating: 4
Great, but don't bother with the rest of the trilogy
This is a great read, and finely crafted SF novel, and an excellent sociological reflection upon the state of the United States in the late 70s and 1980s. After finishing the book I wanted more, and unfortunately, I went and got it. The second two books are truly uninspiring - there is a reason they are out of print - with the third book being truly abysmal. Read Native Tongue, but don't go out of your way to find the final two books. In fact, go out of your way to avoid them.
2002-06-27
| esliving (Seattle, WA USA) | Helpful Votes: 5 | Rating: 4
How to Disagree Without Being Disagreeable: Getting Your Point Across with the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense
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Description
As bestselling author Suzette Haden Elgin proves, you don't have to live your life on red alert. With her Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense techniques, you'll be able to respond clearly to hostile comments from others—or deliver necessary negative messages of your own—without sacrificing your dignity or principles. You'll learn to: - Keep domestic disagreements from escalating
- Deliver criticism to coworkers, employers, or employees
- Handle aggressive, negative comments about race, politics, or religion
- Provide discipline without increasing hostility
- Use language that reduces tension and creates rapport in every situation
Customer Reviews
Learning to disagree
This is a very interesting book. I would recommend this one and any others by this author on this subject. She is very informative, interesting and it holds your attention well. I learned alot and was able to put most of it into practice after reading, especially since she gave scenerios on how to interact with Hostile people.
2010-08-13
(Phoenix, Az United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5
Happy with my purchase
I revcieved the book within a reasonable timeframe, it was what I was after, there were one or two minor things wrong with it however nothing big.
It would have been nice to know about the stickers on the cover before I bought it but they do not take away the content.
2009-07-13
(Sydney, Australia) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 3
Good Advice
Good info. It's helpful to hear how to deal with others without getting into a fight if that's what you want to do.
2008-06-02
| Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5
Judo with words
This book is indispensable if you find yourself having to choose between being taken advantage of or being mean. It offers a perspective that allows one to identify verbal hostility and to respond to it in a way that preserves your own balance and can often lead to calming the entire situation and re-establishing connection. It's funny, practical, full of useful examples and a good framework for thinking about hostile language.
2008-03-21
| Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5
Usefuk info but a difficult read
I found the messages in the book to be very useful, but the manner that it is communicated to be labored and somewhat academic. Thankfully the book is only 170 pages.
2007-11-27
| Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 3
Genderspeak: Men, Women, and the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense
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Description
Communications guru Suzette Haden Elgin bridges the gender gap… In this groundbreaking book, the internationally acclaimed author of The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense helps you anticipate and avoid the frustrating conversational knots in which men and women all too often find themselves entangled. Picking up where other authors leave off, Suzette Haden Elgin arms you with her proven techniques for dealing effectively with verbal confrontation in your personal and professional lives. She zeroes in on how to: - Identify the differences between women’s and men’s perceptions of the world and avoid the dangerous semantic traps they create
- Distinguish between innocent and willful misunderstandings—and what to do about them
- Read body language and use it as a powerful communications tool
- Recognize and put an end to the treacherous verbal games people play
Strikingly true-to-life dialogues and scenarios illustrate each point, covering nearly every argument and misunderstanding you’ve ever had with somebody of the opposite sex. Empowered with Elgin’s proven techniques for dealing with these situations, you’ll be prepared to take full control of any verbal confrontation with your co-workers, friends, and family.
Customer Reviews
I cannot repay Dr. Elgin for what she has given me
The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense was fantastic. Genderspeak is equally valuable. The book contains a useful metaphor between language traffic and automobile traffic. I finally realized the effect my language has on my physical health as well as the health of my relationships with others. This book is worth 10 years of therapy. �Because people can�t immediately see the results of language traffic violations, they don�t realize that there�s a connection between their language behavior and the negative consequences�for themselves as well as for others�that only appear later." "Hostile language can kill you as surely as hostile driving can. The most serious risk factor for heart disease is chronic exposure to hostile language interactions. Hostile language hurts and frustrates and confuses people. It makes blood pressures soar and hearts pound and stomachs churn. It causes ulcers and strokes and migraines and depression. It makes people so flustered that they have dangerous accidents, in their homes and workplaces and in their cars. It can drive people to physical violence. All this is well known. The problem is that�unlike what happens when you run head-on into a speeding car in the wrong lane�the damage usually takes place slowly, over time, and the wounds aren�t readily visible. It�s easy to see that violating the rules on the road is dangerous; it�s much harder to see the dangers when the space being shared is linguistic space.�
2001-09-16
| Helpful Votes: 13 | Rating: 5
The single most valuable book on SPEECH I have seen.
Suzette Haden Elgin has written a number of sf/f novels illustrating the principles explicated in GENDERSPEAK, but here you can learn them in a matter of a few hours reading. As a professional sf writer as well as an online teacher of writing, I have found her insights to apply not only to daily interactions among people, but to the understanding of anthropology and social speech patterns that every writer must grasp to create dialogue. GENDERSPEAK and the other Verbal Self-Defense books by Elgin are lucid, clear, easily applied manuals of how to conduct a conversation without turning it into mortal combat for control of the agenda or power over other people's emotions, or conversely how to turn any innocent exchange into mortal combat at the drop of an intonation or idiom. It isn't just the verbally abused who need to read these books and take her course. This book is most truly vital reading for those who know no other way of dealing with people (intimately in family interactions or in the business world) without putting them down, undermining their self-confidence, or attempting to dominate. Each of us has a speaking style that is both ideosyncratic and belongs to a short list of stylistic patterns which Elgin identifies. Read this book to learn the pattern you are using, and you will gain command enough to change that pattern and thus your destiny in life. Read this book to raise your consciousness of how speech patterns mark us as victims or abusers. Non-native speakers of American Standard English need to read this book. It will solve many mysteries for you. Give this book as a gift to your friends who are not getting the promotions they deserve on the job, or who fight agonizingly with their spouses. Live Long and Prosper, Jacqueline Lichtenberg
2000-08-11
| sf/f writer (Arizona) | Helpful Votes: 32 | Rating: 5
Suzette Haden Elgin: Home Page
Suzette Haden Elgin is a writer, artist, linguist, poet, verbal self-defense trainer, and grandmother, publishes the Linguistics & Science Fiction newsletter, and is ...
Suzette Haden Elgin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Suzette Haden Elgin is an American science fiction author. ... Born in 1936 in Missouri, Elgin attended the University of California, San Diego ...
Suzette's Art Prints:Homepage
exclusive source for Suzette's limited-edition art prints, depicting whimsical fantasy scenes, characters, creatures, from stories she has written, will someday write
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Information about Suzette Haden Elgin's Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense ... Copyright 2003, 2007 Suzette Haden Elgin and The Ozark Center for Language Studies (OCLS) ...
Suzette Haden Elgin | LibraryThing
Books by Suzette Haden Elgin: Native Tongue, Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense, The Judas Rose (Native Tongue), Earthsong (Native Tongue), Yonder ...
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