Language and Symbolic Power - Hardcover

Bourdieu, Pierre

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0745600972 ISBN 13: 9780745600970

Publisher: Polity Press, 1991

Synopsis

This volume brings together Bourdieu's writings on the relations between language, culture and class. Bourdieu argues that language should be viewed not only as a means of communication, but also as a medium of power. He also attacks the more traditiona approaches to language and critizies in particular the linguistic theories of Saussure and Chomsky. Applying his distinctive approach, Bordieu sheds new light on the ways in which linguistic usage varies according to considerations such as class and gender. He also offers a new aproach to understanding the way in which language is used in the domain of politics. His theory of symbolic power has had influence in the fields of sociology and cultural studies.

About this title

Review

A perspective that is both skeptical and empirical, broad yet subtle, engaged and insightful.--Dell Hymes, University of Virginia

From the Back Cover

This volume brings together Bourdieu's highly original writings on language and on the relations among language, power, and politics. Bourdieu develops a forceful critique of traditional approaches to language, including the linguistic theories of Saussure and Chomsky and the theory of speech-acts elaborated by Austin and others.

Edition details

• Publisher: Polity Press
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0745600972
• ISBN 13: 9780745600970
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 280