Manipulating conversations

Developing friendships, keeping up with the rapidity of a conversation and recognising another’s perspective provides the opportunities to develop more sophisticated language skills. The ability to think quickly, negotiate and to persuade people are much needed skills.

The young person is excellent at changing their style of language, moving quickly between talking in a simpler way to a younger child and then more formally to an adult. With friends, the style is based on what is acceptable in the peer group.

Young people will also experiment with words, using slang, swearing and occasionally developing new words to reflect their ability to reason and to comment on situations. Where situations are frustrating and the young person does not have the language ability to express their feelings, many will resort to using swearing to demonstrate their level of maturity.