Themes in the experience of language

• Published in: Journal of psycholinguistic research 1995-03, Vol.24 (2), p.79-100
• Main Authors: Golledge, Cindy P, Pollio, Howard R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0090-6905; 1573-6555
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02143957

Two studies were conducted to determine what adult speakers report being aware of when asked to describe their experience of language. Study 1 engaged Ss (N = 15 graduate students) in extensive dialogic interviews about the topic; study 2 requested Ss (N = 154 undergraduates) to list three situations in which they were aware of language & then to describe one of these in detail. Thematic analysis of responses produced in both studies revealed four different, but interrelated, meanings to an individual's experience of language: as a well structured system, an aesthetic object, a useful event, & an aspect of the self or of the interpersonal world. Each theme appeared in all interviews & in most written descriptions, although individual participants emphasized one or another of the themes more strongly. The pattern of interrelationship among themes was similar in both studies despite significant differences in the specific situations described. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for theoretical & empirical approaches to language & in terms of the meaning of language to & for human speakers. 2 Tables, 1 Figure, 11 References. Adapted from the source document