Challenges in the social life of language

Resource Information

The work Challenges in the social life of language represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in University of Liverpool. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Challenges in the social life of language

Statement of responsibility

John Edwards

Creator

• Edwards, John, 1947 December 3-
• Edwards, John, 1947 December 3-

Subject

• Sociolinguistics

Language

eng

Summary

• The first book to highlight the most pressing sociology-of-language themes of our times. All of which have to do with the twin issues of power and identity. Important evidence and illustrations bearing upon these matters are provided and supplemented by an extensive bibliography.
• 'For more than a quarter of a century Professor John Edwards has stood as the traffic cop at the intersection of Psychology and Sociolinguistics, insisting that those coming from one direction pay heed to the other, and personally ensuring the forward movement of ideas. Besides his original research, he is one of the few scholars with the ability to produce a grand narrative of what the field has accomplished and where it is headed. Challenges in the Social Life of Language sees him, in his own words, reculer pour mieux sauter -- take a step back, the better to jump ahead. The book provides an unprecedentedly full and mature perspective on sociolinguistics and its adjacent disciplines that will enrich every reader's understanding of language, from the beginning student to the life-long adept.' -- John E. Joseph, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. 'John Edwards has produced an incisive critique of the current scholarship on social dimensions of language. Particularly informative are his assessment of various conceptions of the 'ecology' of language, his discussion of the role that religion as an identity marker can play in language maintenance or revitalization, and his comparative overview of the rise of English as a major language since before the 15th century as well as its expansion as a world language since the 19th century. Students of language endangerment and loss in the context of globalization today wouldn't want to miss his balanced remarks on the state of the art.' - Salikoko S. Mufwene, The Frank J. McLoraine Distinguished Service Professor of Linguistics, University of Chicago, USA. 'Covering an amazingly broad range of topics in a lucid narrative, this volume brings the studies of language attitude, language and identity, language contact to a new critical height. It is both empirically rich and theoretically innovative. The book will be a key reference for scholars in a variety of fields for many years to come.' - Li Wei, Professor of Applied Linguistics, Birkbeck College, University of London, England. 'A comprehensive and incisive view of the field of language contact and language attitudes by one of the most distinguished scholars in this field. Edwards draws adroitly from social psychology and sociolinguistics to provide new insights into language contact and imperialism. The extended discussions of attitudes and identity are particularly profound and presented with clarity.' - Rajend Mesthrie, Professor of Linguistics, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Member of

• Language and globalization
• Online access with purchase: Palgrave Connect (Language & Linguistics Collection)

Cataloging source

UK-WkNB

Dewey number

306.44

Index

no index present

Literary form

non fiction

Summary expansion

John Edwards discusses some of the most important issues in the 'social life of language'. Many of these, perhaps in slightly different clothing, have been important before; some have always been important; but all have attracted considerable recent attention and will continue to do so as we move deeper into the new century. Readers' attention is directed to some of the most contentious and highly-charged matters. Beyond highlighting topics of relevance, the book also emphasises their relationships to wider social and political issues, since linguistic perspectives can provide an important window here. The twin threads that link all the topics are power and identity. The sources of power, its expression, and its impact upon social, cultural and linguistic life will be made clear throughout, and so will the motivating influence of what has come to be called 'identity politics'. The two forces sometimes act in harness but they can also pull in opposition. One of the important features of this book -- often implicitly rather than directly stated -- is a plea for triangulation of effort. Every aspect of the 'social life of language' cries out for greater inter- and cross-disciplinary attention