Cognitive Sociolinguistics

The essays in this volume combine the fields of cognitive linguistics and sociolinguistics. They demonstrate the manner in which spoken, non-standard language is factored into linguistic studies giving a broader base for understanding the culture. Linguists Kristiansen and Dirven intend this collection as a starting point for further studies. To this end they begin with articles on the theory of cognitive sociolinguistics. Specific examples of usage-based studies follow. The third section discusses the ways in which language defines social identity and how this affects governmental language policies. Lastly, four essays look at the ways in which metaphorical language is used from the classroom to the world stage. Gender differences in perception are noted in one case, corporate appropriation of language in two others. The final essay treats the slippery use of language in politics and makes suggestions for methods of clarification. The selections bear out the editor's intention of showing the wide range of applications for this new hybrid discipline. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Gitte Kristiansen, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain; Rene Dirven, University of Duisburg, Germany.