Language and Prejudice, A Longman Topics Reader

by Tamara M. Valentine

Part of the “Longman Topics” reader series, The Language of Prejudice examines the effects language has on societal biases. This brief collection of readings focuses on the way language influences and prejudices society's view on race, gender, age, disabilities, and sexual preferences. Thought-provoking selections ask students to think about timely and relevant issues such racial slurs and other offensive language, anti-feminist discourse, and verbal assaults on homosexuals. Divided into seven chapters, each features six or more essays of varying lengths. Brief apparatus helps students write more thoughtfully in response to the selections and to think more critically about the importance of choosing language wisely. “Longman Topics” are brief, attractive readers on a single complex, but compelling, topic. Featuring about 30 full-length selections, these volumes are generally half the size and half the cost of standard composition readers.

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Daniel Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reader has a strong assortment of sources. I really appreciate that there is an index based on rhetorical devices/genre. I also like that every single reading has at least a 1/2 page introduction and between 1.5 and 2 pages of both discussion questions and possible essays or projects. This is a really well-prepared book.

I give it four stars only because there is not a lot of intersectionality, which I think was a missed opportunity to bring this book from really good to truly phenomenal. I would have liked some readings that combine the neatly-partitioned headings in the book - racism and sexuality, ageism and sexism, etc.

Also this didn't factor into my rating, but FYI this is a little dated - it's about 14 years old, and the book's readings are drawn from the 90s and 80s.

[Cecilia Hernandez · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't like this book .

[Jane]

While I don't agree with all the examples, this is an interesting collections of essays, questions, quizzes, advice, and points to ponder.

If you are interested in language and/or political correctness, you could give it a try.