Linguistic Meaning


Book Description

Dr Keith Allan presents a coherent, consistent and comprehensive account of linguistic meaning, centred around an informally presented theory of meaning. It is intended for graduate and undergraduate students of linguistics, or any linguist curious about what a theory of meaning should seek to accomplish and the way to achieve that aim. The work assumes that the primary task of a theory of linguistic meaning is to describe the meaning of speech acts. This in turn presupposes a theory of semantics and a theory of prosodic meaning, as well as a proper treatment of the co-operative principle, context and background information. These matters are dealt with in detail. The second task of a theory of linguistic meaning is to identify what meaning is, to explain the relationships between sense and denotation, and to explicate the nature of meaningful properties and meaning relations. These matters are fully covered, and the work concludes with a summary of the principle arguments presented.




Language and Control


Book Description

Originally published in 1979. This book studies language variation as a part of social practice - how language expresses and helps regulate social relationships of all kinds. Different groups, classes, institutions and situations have their special modes of language and these varieties are not just stylistic reflections of social differences; speaking or writing in a certain manner entails articulating certain social meanings, however implicit. This book focuses on the repressive and falsifying side of linguistic practice but not without recognising the power of language to reveal and communicate. It analyses the language used in a variety of situations, including news reporting, interviews, rules and regulations, even such apparently innocuous language as the rhymes on greetings cards. It argues for a critical linguistics capable of exposing distortion and mystification in language, and introduces some basic tools for a do-it-yourself analysis of language, ideology and control.




Language and Materialism


Book Description

First published in 1977, this book presents a comprehensive and lucid guide through the labyrinths of semiology and structuralism — perhaps the most significant systems of study to have been developed in the twentieth century. The authors describe the early presuppositions of structuralism and semiology which claim to be a materialist theory of language based on Saussure’s notion of the sign. They show how these presuppositions have been challenged by work following Althusser’s development of the Marxist theory of ideology, and by Lacan’s re-reading of Freud. The book explains how the encounter of two disciplines — psychoanalysis and Marxism — on the ground of their common problem —language — has produced a new understanding of society and its subjects. It produces a critical re-examination of the traditional Marxist theory of ideology, together with the concepts of sign and identity of the subject.




Routledge Library Editions: Linguistics Mini-set A General Linguistics


Book Description

RLE: Linguistics Mini-set A focuses on the field of General Linguistics, and collects classic titles from imprints such as Garland, Allen & Unwin, and Croom Helm. A variety of important international linguists are featured. The titles are: The Chomsky Update. The Conceptual Basis of Language. Foundations of General Linguistics. Ideologies of Language. Learning about Linguisics. Lexical Phonology and Morphology. The Linguistic Description of Opaque Contexts. Linguistic Meaning. Redefining Linguistics. A Theory of Stylistic Rules in English. Universal Grammar




The Routledge Handbook of Forensic Linguistics


Book Description

The Routledge Handbook of Forensic Linguistics provides a unique work of reference to the leading ideas, debates, topics, approaches and methodologies in Forensic Linguistics. Forensic Linguistics is the study of language and the law, covering topics from legal language and courtroom discourse to plagiarism. It looks at the linguist as expert providing evidence for the defence and prosecution, investigating areas from blackmail to trademarks and warning labels. The Routledge Handbook of Forensic Linguistics includes a comprehensive introduction to the field written by the editors and a collection of thirty-seven original chapters written by the world’s leading academics and professionals, both established and up-and-coming, designed to equip a new generation of students and researchers to carry out forensic linguistic research and analysis. The Routledge Handbook of Forensic Linguistics is the ideal resource for undergraduates or postgraduates new to the area. Malcolm Coulthard is Professor of Forensic Linguistics at Aston University, UK. Author of numerous publications, the most recent being An Introduction to Forensic Linguistics (co-authored with Alison Johnson, Routledge, 2007). Alison Johnson is Lecturer in Modern English Language at Leeds University, UK. Previous publications include An Introduction to Forensic Linguistics (co-authored with Malcolm Coulthard, Routledge, 2007). Contributors: Janet Ainsworth, Michelle Aldridge, Dawn Archer, Kelly Benneworth, Vijay Bhatia, Ronald R. Butters, Deborah Cao, Malcolm Coulthard, Paul Drew and Traci Walker, Bethany Dumas, Diana Eades, Susan Ehrlich, Fiona English, Tim Grant, Peter Gray, Gillian Grebler, Mel Greenlee, Sandra Beatriz Hale, Chris Heffer, Elizabeth Holt and Alison Johnson, Kate Howarth, Michael Jessen, Krzystof Kredens and Ruth Morris, Greg Matoesian, Gerald McMenamin, Frances Rock, Laura Felton Rosulek, Nancy Schweda-Nicholson, Roger Shuy, Lawrence Solan, Elizabeth Stokoe and Derek Edwards, Peter Tiersma, Tatiana Tkaèuková, David Walsh and Ray Bull, David Woolls, and Jerome Bruner.




Ideologies of Language (RLE Linguistics A: General Linguistics)


Book Description

Is the study of language ideologically neutral? If so, is this study objective and autonomous? One of the most cherished assumptions of modern academic linguistics is that the study of language is, or should be, ideologically neutral. This professed ideological neutrality goes hand-in-hand with claims of scientific objectivity and explanatory autonomy. Ideologies of Language counters these claims and assumptions by demonstrating not only their descriptive inaccuracy but also their conceptual incoherence.




Foundations of General Linguistics


Book Description




Routledge Library Editions: Linguistics


Book Description

Routledge Library Editions: Linguistics brings together as one set, mini-sets, or individual volumes, a series of previously out-of-print classics from a variety of academic imprints. With titles ranging from Applied Linguistics and Language Learning to Experimental Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics Today: International Perspectives, this set provides in one place a wealth of important reference sources from a wide range of authors expert in the field.




Learning about Linguistics


Book Description

This book offers a workbook approach to linguistics and provides guidelines for the study of language. It aims to give basic information and to indicate something of the background and development of the more important trends in the subject. Each chapter includes exercises which lead the reader outwards from the information given in the text. A list of suggested further reading and references follows each chapter so that each aspect of the subject may be followed up in greater depth if so desired. The book will be of particular use to first-year university students and to students in polytechnics, technical colleges, colleges of education and further education, and, the authors also hope, to many sixth-formers in secondary schools. It will also be of interest to the general reader who wishes to learn about linguistics.




Routledge Library Editions: Linguistics Mini-set F: World Languages


Book Description

RLE: Linguistics Mini-set F gathers together a collection of out of print titles on World Languages. These essential works, all from key international linguists, include Australian Aborginal Grammar, The Northwest Caucasian Languages, Plains Cree Morphosyntax, Object and Absolutive in Halkoelem Salish and The Correct Language: Tojolabal.