Language Ideologies: Practice and Theory

by Bambi B. Schieffelin (Editor), Paul V. Kroskrity (Editor), Kathryn A. Woolard (Editor)

"Language ideologies" are cultural representations, whether explicit or implicit, of the intersection of language and human beings in a social world. Mediating between social structures and forms of talk, such ideologies are not only about language. Rather, they link language to identity, power, aesthetics, morality and epistemology. Through such linkages, language ideologies underpin not only linguistic form and use, but also significant social institutions and fundamental notions of person and community.

The essays in this new volume examine definitions and conceptions of language in a wide range of societies around the world. Beginning with an introductory survey of language ideology as a field of inquiry, the volume is organized in three parts. Part I, "Scope and Force of Dominant Conceptions of Language," focuses on the propensity of cultural models of language developed in one social domain to affect linguistic and social behavior across domains. Part II, "Language Ideology in Institutions of Power," continues the examination of the force of specific language beliefs, but narrows the scope to the central role that language ideologies play in the functioning of particular institutions of power such as the law, mass media, or nationalism. Part III, "Multiplicity and Contention among Ideologies," emphasizes the existence of variability, contradiction, and struggles among ideologies within any given society. This will be the first collection of work to appear in this rapidly growing
field, which bridges linguistic and social theory. It will greatly interest linguistic anthropologists, social and cultural anthropologists, sociolinguists, historians, cultural studies, communications, and folklore scholars.

Genres: Anthropology, Linguistics, Language

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of case studies regarding language ideologies. The anthology as a whole is broad in focus, with a lot of diverse perspectives and sites of analysis represented, but the individual chapters are specific, concrete, and focused. Anyone interested in the relationship between language, politics, culture, and history would find this an enjoyable read, although some chapters are more interesting than others. Most Americans are already familiar with some of the language ideological movements in the U.S. (the English Only movement, the Ebonics controversy, and similar debates), but this is a good way to learn about some of the language controversies in other countries and territories, many of them not very well-known to the general public.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

either over my head or too far into the minutiae for me to care?

[Mike Mena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely essentially reading and introduction to language ideology.

[Mesut Bostancı · Rating 5 out of 5]

My bible