How to talk language science with everybody by Laura Wagner and Cecile McKee (review)

Reviewed by: How to talk language science with everybody by Laura Wagner and Cecile McKee Lauren Gawne How to talk language science with everybody. By Laura Wagner and Cecile McKee. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023. Pp. 282. ISBN 9781108794923. $34.99. Communicating about linguistics to nonspecialist audiences (lingcomm) is a specialist skill set in its own right. Equipping more linguists with these skills is vital if linguistics is going to stake a claim for its relevance to people's lives as more than a passing curiosity. Until now, this skill set had to be learned mostly through emulation of existing practitioners, online resources, and informal networks. Thankfully, Laura Wagner (Ohio State University) and Cecile McKee (University of Arizona) have distilled their extensive experience running lingcomm activities and events into a clear and practical book. How to talk language science with everyone illustrates the best of lingcomm practice; it is informed by linguistic research as well as by insights from related fields, including psychology, education, and anthropology. It also illustrates the best of the lingcomm community more broadly; it is accessible to those new to the practice, encouraging in tone, and passionate about introducing more people to how great linguistics is (a fact taken as given in this book). I served with Laura Wagner on the organizing committee for the 2023 International Conference on Linguistics Communication. I note this by way of disclosure, but also to acknowledge that this book exemplifies Laura's commitment to lingcomm and captures her earnest, supportive, and energetic approach. I read a physical copy of this book, and I am glad that Cambridge University Press is publishing it as a more affordable paperback, which should hopefully help it find its way into the hands of aspiring lingcommers. W&M frame their area of expertise as 'language science'. This makes sense in the context of their work, which mostly takes place in science museums and public event spaces and allows them to draw on the social authority of science, but for legibility to the Language audience, I [End Page 376] continue to use the term 'linguistics' in this review. W&M have written this book specifically for those wishing to emulate their success at running live events and demonstrations, but there is also much in the book for linguists wishing to sharpen their skills at presenting to a range of audiences and for those doing science communication (scicomm) in other disciplines. There are twenty short chapters in the book's 250 pages, which can be grouped into three broad sections. The first section looks at how to create successful conversations, the second explores how to best structure information, and the third focuses on the practicalities of how you (the communicator), the venue, and the audience all come together in a successful event. The introduction (Ch. 1) is followed by a chapter giving the reader a pep talk on the theme that even as a student of linguistics you have knowledge you can share (Ch. 2). The first major section, on having good conversations, is framed around the conversational maxims that most linguistics programs introduce their students to in undergraduate studies. Ch. 3 is an overview of the maxims, for readers outside of linguistics or those looking for a refresher. Chs. 5 to 9 focus on effective ways to build conversations, broadly framed around the cooperative principle and conversational maxims, but also bringing in linguistic insights about turn-taking, back-channeling, and audience perspective. Ch. 11 moves us into the second section of the book by providing an introduction to information structure and the importance of providing given information before new information. Chs. 13 to 15 provide examples of how to structure information, particularly with regard to the use of examples (use early, and often) and jargon (use later, and sparingly). Chs. 16 onward bring all of this together to discuss the practicalities of running events and demonstrations. Each chapter begins with an opening worksheet, inviting the reader to reflect on their own knowledge and experiences in relation to the topic at hand. At the end of the substantive content is a handy summary...