The death of Gregory Bateson, or why linguists should study language at the end of life

M. Erard*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Linguists study language and language use in a range of settings and populations, yet they have not studied language, interaction, and communication behaviors and functions of the dying. This article argues that they should, using an account of the death of Gregory Bateson to make concrete the questions that could be asked, then showing some of the theoretical and practical contributions that the answers might make. The goal of such an endeavor would be to respectfully contribute a linguistic perspective to a core and truly universal human experience. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)114-123
Number of pages10
JournalLanguage & Communication
Volume80
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2021

Keywords

  • Death
  • Dying
  • Language
  • Interaction
  • Communication
  • ILL CANCER-PATIENTS
  • COMMUNICATION CAPACITY
  • FORMULAIC LANGUAGE
  • COGNITIVE FUNCTION
  • PAIN ASSESSMENT
  • SPEECH
  • DELIRIUM
  • MEMORY
  • PATHOLOGISTS
  • EXPRESSIONS

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