Abstract
Children and adolescents often make up languages of their own and some belong to secret societies. This is a creative endeavor similar to the other expressive arts and may reveal a secret inner life in the child and a special gift expressed in forms of language. This is discussed as an issue in the childhood of several artists and in its implications for treatment.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Bentley, P. (1969).The Brontes and their world. New York: Viking Press.
Blos, P. (1962).On adolescence: A psychoanalytic interpretation. New York: The Free Press, a Division of MacMillan Publishing Co.
Bronte, C. (1933).Legends of Angria. Compiled by F. Rathchford and W. C. DeVane. New Haven: New Haven University Press.
Carpenter H. (1977).Tolkien. New York: Ballantine Books.
Green, H. (1964).I never promised you a rose garden. New York: Signet Press.
Lane, M. (1946).The tale of Beatrix Potter London: Warne Press.
Moglen, H. (1964).Charlotte Bronte: The self conceived. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press.
Potter, B. (1966).The journal of Beatrix Potter. London: Warne Press.
Potter, B. (1966).The tale of Benjamin Bunny. London: Warne Press.
Potter, B. (1966).The tale of the Flopsy Bunnies. London: Warne Press.
Potter, B. (1966).The tale of Peter Rabbit, London: Warne Press.
Ratchford, F. (1964).The Brontes' web of childhood. New York: Russell and Russell.
Tolkien, J. R. R. (1965).The fellowship of the ring. New York: Ballantine Books.
Tolkien, J. R. R. (1965).The Hobbit. New York: Ballantine Books.
Tolkien, J. R. R. (1965).The return of the king. New York: Ballantine Books.
Tolkien, J. R. R. (1966).Tree and leaf: On fairy stories: The Tolkien reader. New York: Ballantine Books.
Winnicott, D. W. (1965). On not communicating leading to a study of certain opposities.The maturational processes and the facilitating environment. New York: Int. Univ. Press.
Winnicott, D. W. (1980). “Transitional objects and transitional phenomena.”Playing and reality. New York: Penguin.
Wolf, E., Gedo, J., & Terman, D. (1972). The transformation of the self in adolescence.Journal of Youth and Adolescence 1, 3.
Additional information
Ms Gerber is a Senior Caseworker, Jewish Board of Family & Children's Services and a Doctoral Candidate & Adjunct Lecturer at New York University School of Social Work and in private practice.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gerber, T.A. A secret vice: a study of private language and imaginary kingdoms in childhood and adolescence. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 3, 151–160 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00779244
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00779244