Inner speech and self-talk. A comparison

Abstract In this commentary, I compare inner speech and self-talk. First, I argue that the question of whether we can perform speech acts in inner speech can also be raised with regard to self-talk. Second, I hypothesize that different cognitive mechanisms are employed (to different degrees) in I-centered self-talk and you-centered self-talk. Third, I argue that certain functions of self-directed speech may be better served by I-centered self-talk and others by you-centered self-talk.