How to Talk Language Science with Everybody

Laura Wagner is Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Ohio State University. She directs the Language Sciences Research Lab at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, OH. Cecile McKee is Professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Developmental Psycholinguistics Lab. The American Association for the Advancement of Science recently recognized her service in promoting public awareness of the significance of linguistic study.

• Preface; 1. Why bother; 2. You can be the expert; 3. Cooperative conversations; 4. Conversational goals; 5. Know why audience; 6. Creating relevance by generating interest; 7. Creating relevance by making connections; 8. Quality and credibility; 9. Incomplete is not incorrect; 10. Learn to listen; 11. Information structure; 12. The curse of knowledge; 13. Start with examples; 14. What's new? Jargon; 15. From given to new: scaffolding; 16. Three-legged stool approach; 17. Dealing with a range of audiences; 18. Where can I go?; 19. Being a good partner; 20. Finale; Appendix.

'For those beguiled with the wonders of language, and eager to share their enchantment, this is a most welcome guide.' Noam Chomsky, Institute Professor & Professor of Linguistics emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology