Language and Social RelationsLanguage is closely linked to our social relationships and is the medium through which we participate in a variety of social activities. This fascinating study explores the important role of language in various aspects of our social life, such as identity, gender relations, class, kinship, status, and hierarchies. Drawing on data from over thirty different languages and societies, it shows how language is more than simply a form of social action; it is also an effective tool with which we formulate models of social life and conduct. These models - or particular forms of social behaviour - are linked to the classification of 'types' of action or actor, and are passed 'reflexively' from person to person, and from generation to generation. Providing a unified way of accounting for a variety of social phenomena, this book will be welcomed by all those interested in the interaction between language, culture, and society. |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accent activity acts alignment appear appropriate associated attributes become behavior Chapter common consider construal construct contrasts cultural deference deictic denotational depends describe diacritics differentiation discourse discussed distinct effects emblems encounters English evaluation example existence explicit expressions fact Figure focus forms formulate function given honorific human identity indexical individuals interactional involve issue kinds kinship kinterm language lexemes lexical linguistic linked mark means mediated metapragmatic models names nature norms noun observed occur organization participants particular patterns performed persons polite position possible practices processes pronouns question range reading recognized referent reflexive relations relationships relative repertoires respect role semiotic sense shape signs social social domain society speak speaker specific speech standards status stereotypes structure Table talk things tropes typify usage users utterance values variety verb