Language production in aging Each of these factors can affect language production and cause social withdrawal, as people age: hearing and vision impairment slower processing of information mild memory difficulties shrinking network of friends

What aging sounds like Voices are heard as hoarse, high pitched, breathy, tremulous or shaky Men are heard as hesitant Women are heard as passive Mulac & Giles 1996

Stereotyped projections of elders’ speech Tangential – speaker wanders off the topic Vacillating – speaker can’t make choices Repetitive – speaker repeats same words Too wordy – speaker gives too many details

Age-biased reactions: Ryan’s research avoidance impatience controlling talk baby talk or Elderspeak (simplified speech) overly familiar talk shouting non-listening showing disapproval condescension dismissive comments Often, we don’t realize that we have changed our speech when we talk to an older person.

Overaccomodation: being patronizing Overaccommodation - such as babytalk, Elderspeak, or being overly familiar - means we are talking to the stereotype of being old and not to the individual. That’s not the message we want to send. (Ryan & Cole, 1990)

Under-accommodation: sending the wrong message We under-accommodate a speaker’s needs when we show that we are not listening, or use dismissive comments, condescension, or controlling talk. We move away from them. That’s not the message we want to send. (Giles et al, 1990)

How we change our speech: 1 Conversation with adult 54 years old 1. I tended to display my interest by nodding much more instead of interrupting Conversation with adult 94 years old 1. I was much more likely to interrupt with interjections and clarifying statements Example from Batson 2003

How we change our speech: 2 With the person aged 54: 2. I participated actively with my honest opinions in this dialogue With the person aged 94: 2. I was much more likely to “sugar- coat” my opinions and/or modify my more “modern” points of view Example from Batson 2003

How we change our speech: 3 With the person aged I spoke more softly and more quickly With the person aged My voice was much louder, and I spoke slower than usual Example from Batson 2003

How we change our speech: 4 With the person aged I was less “unnecessarily” pleasant, meaning, I didn’t use complimentary language unless very appropriate With the person aged I consistently mentioned how nice the individual looked, and how I enjoyed talking to him/her Example from Batson 2003