Language Myths and the History of English (Oxford Studies in Sociolinguistics) - Hardcover

WATTS

9780195327601: Language Myths and the History of English (Oxford Studies in Sociolinguistics)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195327608 ISBN 13: 9780195327601

Publisher: Academic, 2011

Language Myths and the History of English aims to deconstruct the myths that are traditionally reproduced as factual accounts of the historical development of English. Using concepts and interpretive sensibilities developed in the field of sociolinguistics over the past 40 years, Richard J. Watts unearths these myths and exposes their ideological roots. His goal is not to construct an alternative discourse, but to offer alternative readings of the historical data. Watts raises the question of what we mean by a linguistic ideology, and whether any discourse―a hegemonic discourse, an alternative discourse, or even a deconstructive discourse―can ever be free of it. The book argues that a naturalized discourse is always built on a foundation of myths, which are all too easily taken as true accounts.

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Review:

the culmination of a long and distinguished career. (Tim William Machan, Review of English Studies)

thought-provoking and richly documented (Chiara Rubagotti, L'analisi Linguistica e Letteraria)

This book is densely written and thoroughly academic; it is myth-busting of a higher order. ... For postgraduate study and research into the history of English and historical (socio)linguistics more generally, however, where an awareness of our own ideologies is crucial, LMHE is highly recommended reading. (Remco Knooihuizen, Journal of Historical Sociolinguistics)

we must thank Watts for presenting a narrative and interpretative text, in which the quantitative results, so prevalent in recent research, reamain secondary. Within its pages, it becomes clear that history has an open nature, acquiring new dimensions in new circumstances, and that knowledge, a shared legacy continuously rebuilt, is only obtained through research and debate. (Paloma Tejada Caller, Journal of Historical Linguistics)

About the Author:

Richard J. Watts is Emeritus Professor of English Linguistics at the University of Bern.

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