Language and Identity
An introduction

This book outlines the relationship between our identity as members of groups and the language varieties important to each group.

John Edwards (Author)

9780521696029, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 September 2009

324 pages
21.6 x 13.9 x 1.5 cm, 0.45 kg

'This volume gives a full overview of key issues, trends and research relating to its title Language and Identity in the following areas: personal identity (both individual and group), language and dialect, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationalism, and language planning and ecology. As such, it provides a useful textbook for students, with study questions and further reading at the end of each chapter.' Carol Sanders, Professor Emeritus, University of Surrey

The language we use forms an important part of our sense of who we are - of our identity. This book outlines the relationship between our identity as members of groups - ethnic, national, religious and gender - and the language varieties important to each group. What is a language? What is a dialect? Are there such things as language 'rights'? Must every national group have its own unique language? How have languages, large and small, been used to spread religious ideas? Why have particular religious and linguistic 'markers' been so central, singly or in combination, to the ways in which we think about ourselves and others? Using a rich variety of examples, the book highlights the linkages among languages, dialects and identities, with special attention given to religious, ethnic and national allegiances.

1. Introduction
2. Identity, the individual and the group
3. Identifying ourselves
4. Language, dialect and identity
5. Dialect and identity: beyond standard and non-standard
6. Language, religion and identity
7. Language, gender and identity
8. Ethnicity and nationalism
9. Assessments of nationalism
10. Language and nationalism
11. Language planning and language ecology.

Subject Areas: Psychology [JM], Psycholinguistics [CFD], Sociolinguistics [CFB]