In short, delightful essays, a professor of English explains the key features that make American speech so expressive and distinct. With chapters on ethnic dialects and dialects in the movies, the author reveals the resplendence of one of our nation's greatest natural resources--its endless and varied talk.

This book provides a systematic framework for the emerging field of Mediterranean studies, collecting essays from scholars of history, literature, religion, and art history that seek a more fluid understanding of “Mediterranean.” It emphasizes the interdependence of Mediterranean regions and the rich interaction (both peaceful and bellicose, at sea and on land) between them. It avoids applying the national, cultural and ethnic categories that developed with the post-Enlightenment domination of northwestern Europe over the academy, working instead towards a dynamic and thoroughly interdisciplinary picture of the Mediterranean. Including an extensive bibliography and a conversation between leading scholars in the field, Can We Talk Mediterranean? lays the groundwork for a new critical and conceptual approach to the region.

What exactly is consent? Why does it matter? How can you respect other people’s boundaries, and have them respect yours? Can We Talk About Consent? breaks down the basics of how to give and get consent in every aspect of life for readers aged 14 years and older. It's a powerful word, but not everyone understands exactly what it means. This stylish guide explains clearly why consent matters—for all of us. With honest explanations by experienced sex and relationships educator Justin Hancock, you'll learn how consent is a vital part of how we connect with ourselves and our self-esteem, the people close to us, and the wider world. The book covers a broad range of topics, including: how we greet each other how to choose things for ourselves how we say no to things communicating and respecting choices in sexual relationships the factors that can affect a person's ability to choose how to empower other people by giving them consent And—there's a whole lot of pizza. This guide to consent gives you all the tools you need to build consensual relationships.

Another conversation ends in frustration or even anger. You want to communicate well and to grow deeper in your relationships, but either you can't seem to find the words or always seem to come up with the wrong ones. How can you develop greater intimacy if you can't seem to have a productive conversation? Far more than simply offering ...

WINNER: Independent Press Award 2022 - Career Are you avoiding an uncomfortable conversation at work? If you're an executive or a team leader, strengthening your organization's ability to have difficult conversations is necessary and worth the discomfort. The key to successful dialogue starts and ends with changing the conversation. Recognizing that it takes two people to engage in meaningful outcomes, Can We Talk? outlines what each contributor needs to do to achieve the best possible result. Using examples from everyday work situations, this book offers guidance on how to create the right conditions for a meaningful discussion. The author identifies the seven key principles that enable both parties to gain a deeper understanding of what the other person may be thinking and will help establish their point of view more clearly: confidence, clarity, compassion, curiosity, compromise, credibility, courage. Can We Talk? includes examples and advice from those who have been there and thrived, as well as lessons learned from conversation failures and example scripts of productive conversations. Readers will learn how to prepare, start and manage the potentially challenging exchange of words that typically occur at work, and come away with an understanding that for any conversation to take place, both parties must be engaged.

A Hands-on Guide for Meaningful Conversations with GodHey God, Can We Talk? is a practical book designed to transform your conversations with God from distant and religious into meaningful and authentic dialogues. Deeply rooted in Scripture, this book gives hands-on tools for interacting with God through the everyday stuff of life. Each chapter...

Interviews with people of faith including: Sara Maitland | Sister Wendy Beckett | Delia Smith | The Revd Richard Coles | Dermot O'Leary | Cherie Blair | Archbishop Desmond Tutu | Bronwen Astor | Amos Oz | Nick Cave Peter Stanford has been interviewing people of faith during his thirty-five years as a journalist at national papers including the Daily Telegraph, the Independent and The Guardian, as well as for the church press. What fascinates him in such conversations is how creating a space to talk unguardedly about faith unlocks so much more: what shaped and continues to shape the public and private lives of high-profile names; how those values connect with the work they are best known for; and why they believe the search for faith makes them who they are. This collection of the best of his interviews - some with household names, others with those not so immediately familiar, but all people of achievement with a resonant story to tell - aims to lift the lid on a topic that has become increasingly marginalised in the public square of our increasingly secular and sceptical society, where to 'do God' can feel like breaking a taboo. Put together, the 44 subjects collectively demonstrate that, rather than being all about doctrine and dogma, there are as many ways of exploring faith as there are individuals currently doing it. These intriguing interviews with activists, writers and artists, politicians, rebels and those who have taken vows will appeal to committed believers, those on the fringes of faith, and those who look in from the outside with curiosity.

God¿s imperatives for us¿ to practice peacemaking, love others and build community¿ all begin with authentic dialogue. Think of an issue that makes your blood boil. Now imagine lunch with a friend who is just as passionate about it¿on the other side. How can the two of you even broach the issue, let alone hear each other with curiosity and compassion? The answer begins long before the lunch does, by learning to engage dialogue as a habit of the heart¿an inner transformation that the ancient practices of Christian spirituality can address. This highly readable and timely guide to restoring dialogue shows Christians of many stripes how to cultivate this transformation while preparing them to approach their adversaries with curiosity, civility and compassion. This book: ¿ Examines the obstacles that keep us from dialogue: black-and-white thinking, our ¿distraction lifestyle,¿ the fear of change and others. ¿ Explores the strengths of character from which healthy dialogue springs¿and the work of the soul that cultivates them. ¿ Shows how to enhance the work of the soul by engaging the world around us. ¿ Lays out practical guidelines for dialogue and how they work in an imperfect world. ¿ Includes extended anecdotes of dialogue in action, from resolutions of interpersonal conflict to difficult dialogues on some of the most divisive issues of our age. ¿ Uses provocative questions at the end of each chapter to stimulate group discussion and individual reflection.

Why is the gap so great between our hopes, our intentions, even ourdecisions-and what we are actually able to bring about? Even whenwe are able to make important changes-in our own lives or thegroups we lead at work-why are the changes are so frequentlyshort-lived and we are soon back to business as usual? What can wedo to transform this troubling reality? In this intensely practical book, Harvard psychologists RobertKegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey take us on a carefully guided journeydesigned to help us answer these very questions. And not justgenerally, or in the abstract. They help each of us arrive at ourown particular answers that can solve the puzzling gap between whatwe intend and what we are able to accomplish. How the Way WeTalk Can Change the Way We Work provides you with the tools tocreate a powerful new build-it-yourself mental technology.

What happens when you learn to communicate better with everyone? No doubt you’ve had to endure a painfully awkward conversation, more than once in your life. Maybe it was a stranger, a colleague, a date. Maybe it was a group discussion. You found yourself breaking a sweat, not knowing what to say. The more time passed, the more tense you became. You thought about all the communication books you’ve read in your life and wished you had them with you… To knock yourself unconscious as a way out of the conversation. The best thing about the whole situation was the moment it ended. Now, you also came across people in your life who effortlessly led you through a conversation. They were charming, fun, and made you feel comfortable. You enjoyed it so much and felt uplifted afterwards. This is the book that will teach you to be that person. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know how to talk to anyone about anything. Literally. You’ll be that person. The one that can lead a conversation with the charm and authority of Morgan Freeman. The person that can glide through social interactions with ease. The person that can communicate with everybody; from a stranger at a party, to a CEO of a huge firm. Why read this book? ✅ Learn interpersonal communication skills that will help you build meaningful and deeper relationships with people. ✅ Learn how to talk to anyone and build a network of great people that will help you achieve your goals in life. ✅ Learn fun conversation starters that will immediately put you and others at ease and help you find common ground. ✅ Learn how to read people like a book, understand why they communicate the way they do, and how you can lead them in conversation. Who is this book for? If you want to… ☑️ build a professional network that will help you advance your career; ☑️ have great relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners; ☑️ laugh, have fun, and enjoy conversations; ☑️ understand yourself and others better; then this is the book for you! Say goodbye to awkward conversations, feeling insecure in social settings, and miscommunication. Welcome new possibilities, connections, and the new you. GIFT TO YOU INSIDE: Link to download the 120-page e-book “Mindfulness Based Stress and Anxiety Management Tools” for free! What’s inside How to Talk to Anyone About Anything? “The book is humorous, easy to read, and full of practical information. The writer did a fantastic job at getting this information across. Exactly what you’d expect from a communication master.” - Jane E. This book is written to educate and entertain you. There are 22 easy to digest chapters full of stories, real life situations, tips and tricks. It’ll easily be your go to communication book. Get the book today and start seeing the magic of communication mastery in your life.