In an attempt to track the development of the notion of person in an analysis, this article examines the language in which interpretations are expressed. All interpretations imply an articulation between transitionality and conflict. The author compares the formulation of interpretations with recent studies on motherese, the language used by mothers with their children. Researchers have identified two stages in the development of motherese. In the first stage, the mother speaks of what the infant might want, but only with respect to herself as the instrument of