reporters and early syntax (fwd)

[sengel]

>Return-Path: <khirshpa at nimbus.ocis.temple.edu>
>Date: Thu, 07 Jan 1999 09:39:43 +0000
>From:  Kathy Hirsh-Pasek <khirshpa at nimbus.ocis.temple.edu>
>Subject: Re: reporters and early syntax (fwd)
>To: Susan L Engel <Susan.L.Engel at williams.edu>
>
>Susan, I agree that we must take this very seriously.  Much of the problem,
>I fear, is that we don't know how to put our findings, indeed, even our
>questions, into a form that the lay public can understand.   Thus, we should
>not be surprised if  reporters don't get it right.  Reporters are looking
>for sound bites.  Unfortunately,   issues in language development don't
>squeeze easily into a sound bite.   In the last year or so -- especially in
>my connection to the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and in Roberta's and my
>forthcoming lay book on language development -- I've grappled a lot with how
>to tell our story to those who do not live it everyday.  It's amazingly
>difficult.  At least two lessons that I've learned might help us start this
>discussion.  First, if you don't create the sound bite for the press, they
>will create it for you.  Second, and taking the lead from Steve Pinker's
>outstanding ability to communicate about language through writing, have a
>good example ready that elucidates what you are trying to say.  Reporters
>love concrete examples that make the point.   Even though we may be
>misquoted -- sometimes beyond recognition -- it is important to share our
>findings with the larger public.  As I see it, we have exciting news to
>offer the people who pay our bills through their tax dollars.  Press for
>results like Gary's helps us all because it allows the public see the fruits
>of research.  Kathy Hirsh-Pasek
>----------
>>From: Susan L Engel <Susan.L.Engel at williams.edu>
>>To: info-childes at childes.psy.cmu.edu
>>Subject: Re: reporters and early syntax (fwd)
>>Date: Wed, Jan 6, 1999, 7:30 PM
>>
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>>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>>Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 19:21:04 -0500 (EST)
>>From: Susan L Engel <sengel at colrain.williams.edu>
>>To: Brian MacWhinney <macw at cmu.edu>
>>Subject: Re: reporters and early syntax
>>
>>I think this issue is so important we should think about some kind of
>>forum for thinking it through in a serious way.
>>I worry that most of us have disdain for popular type writing, and then
>>are furious when the general public thinks in simplistic ways
>>about what we do.
>>
>>Can we come up with a good way to talk with one another about
>>how to address the yawning gap between what we think we do, and
>>what the general public thinks we do?
>>
>>Susan Engel
>>
>>
>>
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