Using Language

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'This is a bold, imaginative, and important book. Clark's focus on language use, and his contention that conversation transforms the nature of production and comprehension, pose a challenge to the prevailing psycholinguistic approach to language. Cognitive scientists, social psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists - indeed, all concerned with the way people employ language to accomplish their purposes in the world - will find much to interest them in this integrative and original work.' Robert M. Krauss, Columbia University 'Using Language is a lucid exposition of views that Clark has been developing for over a decade. The central argument is that language must be seen within the complex belief and intentional context in which it is used. Clark tries to pinpoint exactly those features of the intentional context - the set of assumptions and ascribed intentions - which make communication possible, and, often, effortlessly effective. It is undoubtedly his major work to date.' Stephen C. Levinson, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen