Language and Subjectivity

An incisive account of the relationship between language and identity, illuminating the role of language in racism, sexism, colonialism and similar social forces.

Tim McNamara (Author)

9781108475488, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 February 2019

262 pages, 11 b/w illus. 2 maps
22.3 x 14.3 x 1.7 cm, 0.42 kg

'Language and Subjectivity makes a successful attempt at providing theoretical and methodological clarity to researching identity and subjectivity. It is a recommended reading for anyone who is interested in understanding the relationship between self and discourse.' Ruolin Hu, Applied Linguistics

Understanding the role of language within the formation of a sense of self has been revolutionised by developments in social theory, particularly poststructuralism. There is now a new emphasis on the way in which subjects are vulnerable in the face of powerful discourses such as nation, gender, race and sexuality. This book is a clear and engaging introduction to these developments and their relevance to students of language. Using lively and often personal examples throughout, Tim McNamara explores the role of language within processes of subjectivity using the insights of conversation analysis (CA), creating an original conceptual and methodological bridge between the macro- and micro-dimensions of social discourse and everyday conversational interaction.

1. The construction of the subject
2. Discourses of gender and sexuality
3. Recognition and the colonial other
4. Racist discourse and everyday language
5. Language learning and subjectivity
6. Discourse and subjectivity in face-to-face interaction (1): the interaction oOrder
7. Discourse and subjectivity in face-to-face interaction (2): inscribing gender
8. Categorising others in casual conversation
9. Technologies of subjectivity: language tests and identification
10. Conclusion: discourse and discipline.

Subject Areas: Sociolinguistics [CFB]