Psychology

'Why sally never calls bobby "I"' revisited: An alternative perspective on language and early self development

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In this article, I consider the question posed by Boesch (2003) in his commentary that appeared in response to issues raised in Coehlo and Figueiredo's (2003) discussion of intersubjectivity. I begin with an overview of an alternative view of language to the one adopted in Boesch's question, one that starts from a usage-based approach. Next I move on to consider empirical findings from recent research that examines language and the construction of self. Agreeing with Boesch's central claim, this article nevertheless offers a distinct view of the connection between language and human development suggesting that language not only provides a tool for the researcher, but also provides a powerful means for the child to come to interpret culturally sanctioned ways of being in the world.

Publication Title

Culture and Psychology

Publication Date

2004

Volume

10

Issue

2

First Page

223

Last Page

238

ISSN

1354-067x

DOI

10.1177/1354067X04044287

Keywords

language development, language socialization, meaning construction, self development

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