Browse our Research Library: Deborah Tannen

In this article Deborah Tannen discusses the importance of understanding the linguistic styles of people in the work place.  In general men and women have different styles causing men to appear confident taking the one up position, while women take the more modest one down style conserving the other’s face when conversing.  Understanding the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of co-workers increases their ability to communicate better.  If everyone in the work place was aware of other’s communication styles there would be less confusion and misread conversations increasing the efficacy of the work place.