Author: Deborah Tannen

Quotes

For most women, the language of conversation is primarily a language of rapport: a way of establishing connections and negotiating relationships.

For most women, the language of conversation is primarily a language of rapport: a way of establishing connections and negotiating relationships.

- Deborah Tannen

The biggest mistake is believing there is one right way to listen, to talk, to have a conversation - or a relationship.

The biggest mistake is believing there is one right way to listen, to talk, to have a conversation - or a relationship.

- Deborah Tannen

Where the daughter sees power, the mother feels powerless. Daughters and mothers, I found, both overestimate the other's power - and underestimate their own.

Where the daughter sees power, the mother feels powerless. Daughters and mothers, I found, both overestimate the other's power - and underestimate their own.

- Deborah Tannen

For many women, and a fair number of men, saying 'I'm sorry' isn't literally an apology; it's a ritual way of restoring balance to a conversation.

For many women, and a fair number of men, saying 'I'm sorry' isn't literally an apology; it's a ritual way of restoring balance to a conversation.

- Deborah Tannen

A sister is someone who owns part of what you own: a house, perhaps, or a less tangible legacy, like memories of your childhood and the experience of your family.

A sister is someone who owns part of what you own: a house, perhaps, or a less tangible legacy, like memories of your childhood and the experience of your family.

- Deborah Tannen

We tend to look through language and not realize how much power language has.

We tend to look through language and not realize how much power language has.

- Deborah Tannen

I was one of those daughters who saw my mother as my enemy when I was a teen.

I was one of those daughters who saw my mother as my enemy when I was a teen.

- Deborah Tannen

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