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The Difficulty of Dialogue

Language commentator Geoff Nunberg wonders why it's so hard for writers to craft realistic, natural-sounding dialogue when we are surrounded by speech in our daily lives. He says it may take a special kind of attentiveness to hear -- and remember -- how people really talk.

03:23

Other segments from the episode on September 14, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, September 14, 1988: Interview with Mark Hertsgaard; Review of Ensemble Alcatraz's album "Visions and Miracles"; Interview with John Leonard; Commentary on naturalistic…

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