Mediating Narrativity and Rhythmicity in Early Mother-Infant Interactions – Consequences for the Developing Self

The article aims at investigating how cultural-historically evolved discursive practices become evident in mother infant-interactions. Specifically, it compares interactions from a still relatively oral cultural community (Cameroonian Nso farmers) with those from literate Western middle class (families in Munster/ Germany). Based on a dialogic conception of language, culture and human mind it argues with respect to human ontogenesis that children in distinct socio-cultural contexts will develop different subjectivities which are systematically interwoven with the prevalent sociohistoric conditions.

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