Talking For Success

"We have all been waiting for a book like this. With a rare kind of clear analysis and a wide variety of real speech cases, Jonathan Clifton convincingly demonstrates what speakers are doing with language to achieve a certain effect. The reader will also find a substantial reference set of tools and strategies, well-explained and ready for use in the reader’s own practices. Essential, I think, for business and communication students, journalists, teachers and everyone interested in communicating effectively."

Katja Pelsmaekers, co-editor of ‘Displaying Competence in Organizations’ and former lecturer of Business Communication at the University of Antwerp, Belgium.

"This book is a tour de force. Finally, a crystal-clear, razor-sharp and entertaining account of how the spoken word really works: in politics, law and the world of glamour, and in our everyday lives. Jonathan Clifton is one of a handful of linguists who manages to explain complex and critical scholarly findings without dumbing down."

Geert Jacobs, Professor of Linguistics, Ghent University, Belgium

"In this book, Jonathan Clifton takes up the challenge of explaining linguistics to non-linguists. From small talk to public speaking, from advertising to team talk, the author shows how language actually works, drawing on real-life examples. The book is refreshing and accessible to all, and will help us, readers, to develop our awareness of language so that we can adopt our strategies to become better communicators. I warmly recommend the book!"

Annelise Ly, Associate Professor of Professional and Intercultural Communication, Norwegian School of Economics, Norway.

"At last, a book about how language works that is for everyone! While based on rigorous academic scholarship, this book leaves the Ivory Tower behind and provides fascinating insights into the complexities of language without being technical or boring! Its accessible and engaging writing style, together with informative and entertaining excerpts from celebrity interviews, political speeches, small talk while refuelling a plane, and police negotiations with a terrorist, make this book a joy to read. Not only does it illustrate how to master the code of talking effectively, but readers will also be equipped with 100 concrete strategies of how to improve their own language to talk for success."

Stephanie Schnurr, Professor of Linguistics, Warwick University, England.

"This book is a must have! It deals with language, how it is used, and how to use it better. Jonathan Clifton adopts a novel format, beginning with the in-depth but to-the-point analysis of 24 contemporary instances of spoken language. I particularly like the way these examples cover such a range of contexts and purposes. These lead on to “100 strategies” which cleverly apply theory in order to help readers improve their communication skills. The author draws on his expertise as a conversational analyst, and his up-beat prose also guarantees a very enjoyable read. A precious resource for teachers, but, first and foremost, a book for everyone."

Fiona Rossette-Crake, Professor of English Linguistics, Université Paris Nanterre, France

"Drawing from years of research and university teaching, Jonathan Clifton masterfully guides the reader through the secret codes of conversation - without the academic jargon. Through easy-to-follow examples taken from contemporary scenarios, this book encourages you to notice the subtlest of cues in language, and it equips you with concrete communication strategies, one hundred of them to be specific. From celebrity interviews to police negotiations, from adverts to everyday chatter - if you ever wondered how people really communicate and how they achieve their goals, you won't be able to put this book down!"

Erika Darics, language consultant and Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.

"Jonathan Clifton is an outstanding scholar, as his many academic publications attest. Yet, what makes him truly stand out from the ‘academic crowd’ is his ability to translate complex analyses into plain language. Combine this with an excellent nose for captivating cases, and you have a recipe for success, as this book shows! Because seriously, who wouldn’t want to know how to crack the language codes as used by the likes of Boris Johnson, Donald Trump and Meghan and Harry?!"

Dorien Van De Mieroop, Professor of Linguistics, Leuven University, Belgium.



"This wise book resonates with academics and professionals by showing how communication shapes reality. “TALKING FOR SUCCESS: The Secret Codes of Conversation and How to Master Them” is a one-of-a-kind guide to communication strategy that is both specific and actionable. These very valuable insights are also rooted in strong research but shared in an engaging and conversational tone. To boot, the candid, and sometimes humorous delivery, is a fun read. I highly recommend it!"

Jacqueline Mayfield, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Management, Texas A & M International University. Co-Editor, the International Journal of Business Communication

'Notably, Clifton’s unique, entertaining, and useful observations engage scholars and professionals through a contextual deep dive into how spoken language choices co-create both positive and negative impacts. We give enthusiastic recommendation for this book based on its solid expertise, relevance, and applicability. For scholars, the book models several appropriate methods which uncover new research questions and findings. For professionals, Talking for Success certainly provides a valuable guide to the implicit and explicit rules of thumb organizational communication behaviors, while being devoid of platitudes'

Jacqueline and Milton Mayfield, The International Journal of Business Communication (IJBC)

Conversation analysis is a challenging topic to tackle, particularly for nonacademic audiences, since it focuses on the sometimes tedious analysis of discrete talk. By selecting situations drawn from popular culture that many are familiar with, Clifton makes this analysis interesting and entertaining, without getting bogged down in transcription codes and other arcane details of the approach. For that reason, this text would be an excellent introduction to students and practitioners of the usefulness of conversation analysis and its techniques, both for research and practical language use. It is also useful as an introduction to instructors, students, and researchers who are unfamiliar with conversation analysis techniques who would like to understand some of the fundamentals.

Robyn C. Walker, University of Southern California Marshall School of Business, USA, Business and Professional Communication Quarterly