Letter Writing as a Social Practice: 9 (Studies in Written Language and Literacy) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 902721803X ISBN 13: 9789027218032

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2000

Synopsis

This book explores the social significance of letter writing. Letter writing is one of the most pervasive literate activities in human societies, crossing formal and informal contexts. Letters are a common text type, appearing in a wide variety of forms in most domains of life. More broadly, the importance of letter writing can be seen in that the phenomenon has been widespread historically, being one of earliest forms of writing, and a wide range of contemporary genres have their roots in letters. The writing of a letter is embedded in a particular social situation, and like all other types of literacy objects and events, the activity gains its meaning and significance from being situated in cultural beliefs, values, and practices. This book brings together anthropologists, historians, educators and other social scientists, providing a range of case studies that explore aspects of the socially situated nature of letter writing.

About this title

Synopsis

These essays emanate from a central position: that letter writing is one of the most pervasive activities in literate human societies, and that the cultural and historical importance of the letter across a wide range of social orders is easily discernible.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 902721803X
• ISBN 13: 9789027218032
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 269
• Editor: Barton David, Hall Nigel