Language and Social Justice: An Introduction to Linguistic Activism

Language and Social Justice provides readers with the knowledge and analytical skills required to explore why and how social inequalities and injustices are enacted through language, and how they may be challenged.

The expert authors introduce readers to theories, concepts, methods and applications which enable them to become ‘activist applied linguists’ in the field of language and social justice. Each chapter contains up-to-date information, case studies, study questions and activities, suggestions for activism, and recommended readings relating to a range of topics within the field of language and social justice research.

This innovative and accessible textbook is essential reading for students and scholars engaged in language and social justice research across a range of contexts.

Helen Sauntson is Professor of English Language and Linguistics and Director of the Centre for Language and Social Justice Research at York St John University, UK. She specialises in teaching and researching sociolinguistics and applied linguistics and has published numerous books, chapters and journal articles.

Clare Cunningham is Associate Professor of English Language and Linguistics and Deputy Director of the Centre for Language and Social Justice Research at York St John University, UK. Her research work focuses on social and ecological justice issues, particularly focusing on education of multilingual children and discourses on climate change.

Johanna Ennser-Kananen is Associate Professor of English and Academy Research Fellow at the University of Jyväskylä’s Department of Language and Communication Studies. Her work focuses on linguistically and culturally sustaining language and teacher education, particularly on epistemic justice in educational contexts.

Dai O’Brien is Associate Professor of BSL and Deaf Studies at York St John University, UK. Dai’s particular research interest lies in how signing deaf people navigate social contexts, and he has written numerous articles and book chapters. He is currently sitting on the Advisory Council of the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education.