Language play and linguistic intervention

Language play is a normal and frequent part of adult and child behav iour. This paper characterizes the phenomenon of language play in adults, examines the ways in which children make use of it, suggests developmental stages, and discusses its relation to linguistic and meta linguistic awareness. Its importance in child development is emphasized, and points of connection with issues in language pathology and the teaching of reading are explored. The paper suggests that a focus on language play can help to bridge the gap between the world of the home/playground and that of the clinic/classroom.