Sociocultural Dimensions of Language Use

An important work in moving beyond purely grammatical or phonological analysis for analyzing languages, instead emphasizing language as a cultural practice. A seminal anthology of essays that, in totality, help bridge anthropology and linguistics, showing how linguistic forms are embedded in social structures, rituals, and historical change. Condition: NF/VG- BOOK INFO Published in 1975 by Academic Press in New York. First edition, first printing. In original black cloth covered boards with lettering in silver and copper. Octavo, 9.25" x 6.25". Collated and complete: xxi, [5], 404 pp. Topics include the following: 1. Ritual and social elements of verbal behavior - how language functions in ceremonies, greetings, and other culturally significant interactions. 2. Metacommunicative acts - the ways speakers negotiate meaning, agreement, and social roles in conversation. Cultural specificity in language - examples from diverse linguistic communities, such as the Yakan of the Philippines, the Ilongot of the Philippines, the Koya of South India, and the GA of Southern Ghana. 3. Language and identity - how linguistic forms reflect and shape social relationships, norms, and group membership. Creative and interpretive language use - including metaphor, joking, and performance genres like Japanese Rakugo. 4. The child as practical reasoner - Jenny Cook-Gumperz's work on how children's language reflects cultural reasoning patterns. CONDITION REPORT NF/VG- The book is Near Fine. Slight spine lean, firm hinges and joints, tight pages. Very light rubbing. Interior is clean and bright with no writing, bookplates or foxing. Only a few odd marks/spots. The dust jacket is Very Good- Unclipped. Slight fading to spine. Colorful. Light dust soiling to rear panel. Creasing and chipping at spine tips and fold tips. Taping reinforcement on jacket blind side. 2" tear along joint crease at foot of spine. A few other small chips areas of light edge wear. . …