Direct and indirect speech in English‐speaking children's retold narratives

Abstract

In order to report the words of others, children must learn how to point out to the listener whether the vantage point is that of the original discourse (direct speech) or that of the present reporting (indirect speech). The present article reports a study designed to investigate children's deictic changes (signalling direct or indirect speech), use of speech act verbs, and preference for reporting system in their retold narratives. Twenty subjects at each of four ages (4,6,8 years old, and adult) participated in the study. With regard to the correct use of direct speech, a linear age function emerged. An investigation of subjects’ preference for reporting style revealed a U‐shaped function indicating that 4‐year‐olds, like 8‐year‐olds and adults, preferred indirect speech, whereas 6‐year‐olds used direct speech more frequently in their reports. The findings of this study indicate that children's complete mastery of direct and indirect speech in English extends over many years.