The work of the linguist Charles A. Ferguson spans more than three decades, and is remarkable for having been consistently at the forefront of scholarship on the relationship between language and society. This volume collects his most influential and seminal papers, each having expanded the parameters of sociolinguistics and the sociology of language. Taken together, they cover a wide range of topics and issues, and, more importantly, reflect the intellectual progress of a founder of the sociolinguistic field. The volume is divided thematically into four sections, and an introduction by Thom Huebner outlines the evolution of Ferguson's ideas and the impact they have had on other scholars. This book is essential reading for everyone interested in the field of sociolinguistics.

'This is a book written by real academics, drawing articulately on their own research interests, and using an excellent range of twenty-first century examples to give the book a lively, contemporary feel. The extensive textual analysis is far superior to some of the banal tasks often found in introductory textbooks.' âMartin Conboy,University of Sheffield, UK Language, Society and Powerlooks at the ways in which language functions, how it influences thought and how it varies according to age, ethnicity, class and gender. It seeks to answer such questions as: How can a language reflect the status of children and older people? Do men and women talk differently? How can our use of language mark our ethnic identity? The book also looks at language use in politics and the media and examines how language affects and constructs our identities, exploring notions of correctness and attitudes towards language use. This second edition includes recent developments in theory and research and offers the following features: new and engaging examples drawn from everyday life: conversation transcripts, novels including Ian McEwan'sAtonement, television and the internet new activities designed to give students a real understanding of the topic an international perspective with examples from the world's press, includingThe Washington Post,TheDaily MailandTheNew Zealand Listener updated and expanded further reading sections and glossary. Language, Society and Powerremains an essential introductory text for students of English language and linguistics, and will also be of use to students of media, communication, cultural studies, sociology and psychology.

She discusses both traditional and more recent issues such as language and social class, language and gender, language in education, pidgins and creoles, and language change. She shows how our linguistic choices are motivated by social factors, and how certain ways of speaking come to be vested with symbolic value. In her examples she draws on studies of cultures all over the world, including her own extensive field work in Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and Britain

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This is the book for anyone who has ever wondered how language influences thought, how language impacts on our daily life, and how power is perpetuated through language. Written in a lively way and drawing on examples from everyday life, each chapter provides an introduction to a social or political issue in language study, such as: * language use in politics and the media * language use according to gender, ethnicity, age and class * how language affects and constructs our identities * the significance of our attitudes toward language use and our notions of correctness. The book contains numerous exercises, end of chapter summaries and a glossary of key terms. The authors encourage the reader to look beyond language as a form of information exchange and to consider the wider issues of the relationship between language and culture. Highly interdisciplinary, it will be essential for students of English language and linguistics from introductory or A-level upward. It is also of great relevance to students of media, communication, cultural studies, sociology and psychology.

Language, Society and Power is the essential introductory text to studying language in a variety of social contexts. This book examines the ways language functions, how it influences thought and how it varies according to age, ethnicity, class and gender. It considers whether representations of people and their language matter, explores how identity is constructed and performed, and considers the creative potential of language in the media, politics and everyday talk. This fourth edition has been completely revised to include recent developments in theory and research and offers the following features: A range of new and engaging international examples drawn from everyday life – including material from social media and newspapers, cartoons, YouTube and television. Two new chapters which cover Linguistic Landscapes, including signs, graffiti and the internet; and Global Englishes, exploring variation in and attitudes to English around the world Updated and expanded student research projects and further reading sections for each chapter Brand new companion website that includes video and audio clips, links to articles and further reading for students and professors. Language, Society and Power is a must-read for students of English language and linguistics, media, communication, cultural studies, sociology and psychology.