Language and Gender

Updated and restructured new edition of a textbook for courses in language and gender which is accessible to non-linguists.

Penelope Eckert (Author), Sally McConnell-Ginet (Author)

9781107029057, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 February 2013

334 pages, 14 b/w illus.
25.3 x 18 x 2 cm, 0.81 kg

'… Language and Gender is a much needed work, and a much needed new edition in these changing times. Kira Hall's endorsement on the back cover employs two key terms: convincing and provocative. To which I add: absolutely necessary.' Mariaelena Bartesaghi, Journal of Language and Politics

Language and Gender is an introduction to the study of the relation between gender and language use, written by two leading experts in the field. This new edition, thoroughly updated and restructured, brings out more strongly an emphasis on practice and change, while retaining the broad scope of its predecessor and its accessible introductions which explain the key concepts in a non-technical way. The authors integrate issues of sexuality more thoroughly into the discussion, exploring more diverse gendered and sexual identities and practices. The core emphasis is on change, both in linguistic resources and their use and in gender and sexual ideologies and personae. This book explores how change often involves conflict and competing norms, both social and linguistic. Drawing on their own extensive research, as well as other key literature, the authors argue that the connections between language and gender are deep yet fluid, and arise in social practice.

1. An introduction to gender
2. Introduction to the study of language and gender
3. Linguistic resources
4. Getting it said
5. Making nice
6. Being assertive… or not
7. Where common sense comes from and where it hides
8. Mapping the world
9. Constructing nations, constructing boundaries
10. Fashioning selves.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Gender studies, gender groups [JFSJ], Sociolinguistics [CFB], Linguistics [CF]