Language is not just descriptive it is also a form of action. In this class you will begin to enter the world of linguistics as a significant tool of ontological coaching. We will introduce the basic distinctions and "technology" of language or "speech acts". Sometimes we are not using language, language is using us! Also we will look how the clients "story" is full of various patterns and speech acts that can be used as an entrance to a deeper more transformative conversation. We will also look at how their story impacts their way of being and what options are open to them emotionally and somatically based on their story. How do we help the client to get beyodn the presentnig story - what is the story "underneath" the story? What is your story about your story? Stories aren't bad - they are just a shorthand of lived experience. Coaches also have "stories" about their client too.