Studying Language, Producing Knowledge (Paperback)

Sari Pietikaeinen

ISBN 10: 1119860318 / ISBN 13: 9781119860310

Published by John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. A thoughtful, student-friendly introduction to the ways that language creates meaning in its social and cultural contexts In Studying Language, Producing Knowledge: An Introduction to Discourse Analysis, Anne Maentynen and Sari Pietikaeinen offer a comprehensive yet accessible guide to one of the most important areas of study in sociolinguistics. This textbook introduces discourse as both a theoretical perspective and a practical method for examining the relationship between language and society. Grounded in the idea that language is a form of social action, it explores how discourses shape, and are shaped by, the production of knowledge across cultural, political, and institutional contexts. Balancing conceptual depth with clarifying explanation, this valuable textbook offers guidance for conducting discourse analysisfrom developing research questions and selecting data to building arguments and writing up findings. Drawing on established frameworks such as Faircloughs three-dimensional model and newer approaches including nexus analysis and critical assemblage analysis, the book provides clear connections between theory and method. Each chapter includes overviews, key concepts, takeaways, discussion points, and real-world examples to prepare students to analyze language as a central force in social and intellectual life. Equipping students to think critically about how meaning is made, regulated, and contested, Studying Language, Producing Knowledge: Highlights the role of discourse in the production and circulation of knowledge across diverse social and cultural settingsOffers a unique framework that examines language through the dual forces of stasis and changePresents discourse as a dynamic intersection of power, ideology, and practiceIncorporates linguistic, cultural, and political perspectives to illuminate how language both reflects and shapes social realitiesProvides conceptual and methodological tools to conduct research in language and society Studying Language, Producing Knowledge is ideal for students in linguistics, communication, cultural studies, sociology of language, and related disciplines. It is suitable for introductory courses in language and society or research methods or as further reading for students who want to improve their understandings of the relationships between society, culture, and language. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781119860310

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Studying Language, Producing Knowledge (Paperback)
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1119860318
• ISBN 13: 9781119860310
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Language is more than a tool for communication―it is a powerful force that shapes how knowledge is produced and understood. Studying Language, Producing Knowledge offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to discourse studies, demonstrating how language operates as social action. Anne Mäntynen and Sari Pietikäinen trace the evolution of the field, combining classic theories with contemporary approaches to show how discourse constructs meaning, identities, and social realities.

Through an engaging blend of conceptual explanation and practical guidance, this textbook guides readers step by step through the process of analyzing discourse in real-world contexts. Each chapter provides key concepts, discussion points, and examples that help students move confidently from theory to research practice. Throughout the text, the authors highlight how discourse interacts with power, ideology, and change, and how the study of language can reveal the dynamics of knowledge production in today’s complex social world.

Studying Language, Producing Knowledge is written for undergraduate and postgraduate students across language, communication, and cultural studies, as well as sociology and anthropology. It is ideal for courses on discourse analysis, language and society, or qualitative research methods, and serves as an essential guide for anyone seeking to understand how language shapes the ways we know and act.

About the Author

ANNE MÄNTYNEN is Professor of Non-Fiction at the University of Helsinki. A leading scholar in discourse and genre studies, she examines how language ideologies and genres shape social practices and writing cultures. She served as Editor of Virittäjä.

SARI PIETIKÄINEN is Professor of Discourse Studies at the University of Jyväskylä and Research Fellow at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Her research explores the entanglements between discourse, power, and ecology in the Arctic, using critical assemblage analysis.