How do children learn to talk? This fundamental question continues to be a subject of lively and contentious debate among linguists and psychologists. Originally published in 1980, Dr McShane's discerning analysis of the theoretical issues involved takes account of the contribution of speech-act theory and of Gricean meaning theory to our understanding of communication. The wide-ranging discussion of the work of other researchers provides the reader with a clear perspective in which to assess Dr McShane's own approach. Dr McShane shows that limited, but effective, communication is possible in...