A recent New York Times opinion piece claimed that women apologize all the time – even when something is not their fault. It’s known as “tentative” or “indirect” speech, when people – usually women – start their sentences with “I’m sorry” or “If you don’t mind.” Is this something you do? Have you tried to change the way you speak – or do you use it to your advantage? We’ll dig into the nuances of tentative speech… if you don’t mind us doing that.
Rebroadcast: I'm Sorry, But May We Discuss Tentative Speech?
A recent New York Times opinion piece claimed that womenapologize all the time - even when something is not their fault. It'sknown as "tentative" or "indirect" speech, when people - usuallywomen - start their sentences with "I'm sorry" or "If you don'tmind." Is this something you do? Have you tried to change theway you speak - or do you use it to your advantage? We'll dig intothe nuances of tentative speech... if you don't mind us doing that.
(Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images)
Guests:
Cristen Conger, co-creator and host of "Stuff Mom Never Told You" podcast and YouTube brand; senior writer and host at How Stuff Works.com
Deborah Tannen, professor of linguistics, Georgetown University; author of "You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation" and "Talking From 9 to 5"
Robin Lakoff, professor emerita in the Linguistics Department, UC Berkeley; author, "Language and Woman's Place"