What Is Tannen's Training/discipline? How Does That Impact Her Theory

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The Answer is Deborah Tannen is a prominent American academic and professor of linguistics at Georgetown University. Her training and discipline are in the field of linguistics, with a focus on sociolinguistics and discourse analysis. Linguistics is the scientific study of language and its structure, including the study of morphology, syntax, phonetics, and semantics. Sociolinguistics, a subfield of linguistics, examines how language varies and changes in social groups, and discourse analysis looks at how language is used in communication.

Tannen's training in linguistics, particularly in sociolinguistics and discourse analysis, has significantly impacted her theoretical contributions. She is best known for her research on the differences in communication styles between men and women, which she has discussed extensively in her books and academic papers. Her most famous work, "You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation," argues that men and women have different conversational styles that are rooted in the socialization processes of childhood and that these differences often lead to misunderstandings in communication.

Tannen's linguistic background has enabled her to approach the study of gender and communication with a focus on the actual use of language in various contexts. She analyzes the ways in which people speak and the underlying social dynamics that influence communication patterns. Her training allows her to observe and describe the subtle nuances in conversation, such as indirectness, pacing, storytelling styles, and the use of silence, which might contribute to different interpretations and expectations in communication between genders.

In summary, Deborah Tannen's training in linguistics, and specifically in sociolinguistics and discourse analysis, has been fundamental in shaping her theory on gendered communication. Her expertise in the structure and use of language has provided her with the tools to explore and explain how and why men and women often communicate differently, and how these differences can affect interpersonal relationships.

What Is Tannen's Training/discipline? How Does That Impact Her Theory

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