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Deborah Tannen

Deborah Tannen Quotes

Professor

Deborah Tannen, born on June 7, 1945, is an accomplished American linguist and professor. Her research focuses on the relationship between gender and language, particularly the differences in communication between men and women. Tannen's book 'You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation' has become a bestseller, profoundly impacting the public's understanding of gender communication differences.

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All Men People Communication Conversation Ifs Way Feels Knows Want World Argument Different Ideas Independence Men And Women Needs Approach Connections Cooperation Culture

Famous Deborah Tannen Quotes

“The argument culture urges us to approach the world - and the people in it - in an adversarial frame of mind. It rests on the assumption that opposition is the best way to get anything done: The best way to discuss an idea is to set up a debate; the best way to cover news is to find spokespeople who express the most extreme, polarized views and present them as 'both sides'; the best way to settle disputes is litigation that pits one party against the other; the best way to begin an essay is to attack someone; and the best way to show you're really thinking is to criticize.”

“But if you parry individuals points - a negative and defensive enterprise - you never step back and actively imagine a world in which a different system of ideas could be true - a positive act.”

Ifs World Ideas Different Individual Steps Imagine Negative Being True Enterprise

Book:The Argument Culture: Moving from Debate to Dialogue

Source: The Argument Culture: Moving from Debate to Dialogue

“The allure of love is to have someone who knows you so well that you don't have to explain yourself. It is the promise of someone who cares enough about you to protect you against the world of strangers who do not wish you well.”

Knows World Wells Enough Care Wish Love Is Promise Protect Stranger Who Cares Wish You You Again Protect You Allure Explain Yourself Wishing You Well

Book:I Only Say This Because I Love You: How the Way We Talk Can Make or Break Family Relationships Throughout Our Lives

Source: I Only Say This Because I Love You: How the Way We Talk Can Make or Break Family Relationships Throughout Our Lives

“The argument culture urges us to approach the world-and the people in it-in an adversarial frame of mind. It rests on the assumption that opposition is the best way to get anything done: Conflict and opposition are as necessary as cooperation and agreement, but the scale is off balance, with conflict and opposition over-weighted.”

People World Way Mind Done Culture Balance Conflict Approach Argument Scales Best Way Assumption Opposition Urges Agreement Cooperation Frame Of Mind

Author:Deborah Tannen

“Communication is a continual balancing act, juggling the conflicting needs for intimacy and independence. To survive in the world, we have to act in concert with others, but to survive as ourselves, rather than simply as cogs in a wheel, we have to act alone.”

World Needs Communication Independence Intimacy Wheels Concerts Juggling Cogs Balancing Act

Book:You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation

Source: You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation