Introducing Language in the Workplace

This introductory textbook summarises key topics from up-to-date workplace discourse research, with over 160 international examples.

Bernadette Vine (Author)

9781108498944, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 June 2020

302 pages, 17 b/w illus. 8 colour illus. 2 tables 23 exercises
25.2 x 17.8 x 2.1 cm, 0.68 kg

'This exciting new textbook will be a much-needed addition to the growing field of language studies in the workplace. Including the voices of several international research experts, Bernadette Vine has succeeded in producing an excellent introductory volume, which covers a number of crucial areas of contemporary workplace research. It is brought to life by an impressive range of authentic workplace interactions. It is a must-read for any language student interested in exploring the practical applications of linguistics.' Louise Mullany, University of Nottingham

Assuming no prior linguistics background, this introductory textbook summarises key topics and issues from workplace discourse research in a clear and accessible manner. The topics covered include how people issue directives, use humour and social talk, and how they manage conflict and disagreement. The role of language in the enactment of identity is also explored, in particular leadership, gender, and cultural identity, along with the implications and applications of workplace research for training and communications skills development. Over 160 international examples are provided as illustration, which come from a wide range of workplace settings, countries and languages. The examples focus on authentic spoken discourse, to demonstrate how theory captures the patterns found in everyday interaction. Introducing Language in the Workplace provides an excellent up-to-date resource for linguistics courses as well as other courses that cover workplace discourse, such as business communication or management studies.

Part I. Introducing Language in the Workplace: 1. Introducing language in the workplace
2. Approaches to exploring language in the workplace with contributions by Jonathan Clifton, Janet Holmes, Veronika Koller and Helen Spencer-Oatey
Part II. What Are Some Key Topics in Workplace Research?: 3. Directives and requests at work
4. Social talk, humour and narrative at work
5. Complaints, disagreement and conflict talk at work
Part III. What About Identity and the Way This Is Enacted in the Workplace?: 6. The language of leadership
7. Gender and language at work
8. Culture and language at work
Part IV. So What?: 9. Implications and applications of workplace research.

Subject Areas: Business communication & presentation [KJP], Sociolinguistics [CFB], Linguistics [CF]