- Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (27 Feb 1992)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140125086
- ISBN-13: 978-0140125085
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 662,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The title of this book is intended ironically. The main thrust of this book is to argue that one should think twice before condemning particular forms of language or linguistic usages. Written by linguists, it takes the linguist's objective view but is written in non-technical language so that it can be accessible and entertaining to a large audience. Topics covered include swearing, slang, dialects, accents and jargon.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
'Bad Language' is a title of potentially ironic intention for a work that ultimately sets out to dismiss the idea that bad language as such, actually exists. Instead Andersson and Trudgill herald the notion that as long as communication prevails then language has served its purpose. These 'liberal' authors emphasise the prescriptive, descriptive divide from the outset, suggesting that prescriptive language inherently lacks any sense of reality as regards the way in which language is actually spoken today. The point of view being, that descriptive language makes for more natural and free flowing communication, therefore enhancing rather than downgrading the language in question.
'Bad Language' aims to challenge any preconceived ideas regarding the language of others, arguing that it is the content of what we say that is of importance, rather than the way in which we express our ideas. It is perhaps important to note that English language is not a fixed, concrete entity and therefore talk of its preservation is somewhat irrelevant, for change is innate in language itself. We only need to look at the progression from Chaucerian Middle English to the language of today to appreciate this fact. Furthermore, change does not necessarily mean decline, but can often denote vibrancy and diversity in language. The work suggests that Slang words, fillers and even swearing amongst other varieties of informal speech, are an integral part of spoken language, indicating equality between speakers, affirming friendships and often adding a comical aspect to speech.
The authors make it clear that 'Bad language' is frequently a matter of opinion or attitude, as opposed to fact. After all, there have been many instances where informal words or phrases have made their way into so-called 'standard' varieties of language. Furthermore, if many people begin to use language that is deemed to be 'bad' or 'ungrammatical' are the users then incorrect or, is language itself simply failing to keep up with change? Andersson and Trudgill go beyond this, arguing that in creating this idea of 'good' or 'bad' language we are making social judgements on those whose language differs form our own, therefore evoking feelings of superiority. Such attitudes are to be avoided, for this is equated with racial prejudice...
Finally, aspects such as dialect, accent, style and register are investigated, leading to the idea that perhaps a phrase should be put into true context before judgement is passed. Things that may be deemed as 'Bad' in one area of the country may be perfectly acceptable in the speaker's hometown and so allowances must be made. It could be argued that it is 'appropriateness' rather than intrinsic ideas of right and wrong that matter as far as language is concerned. Language should not follow strict pattern or trend as this in itself prevents character expression, for it is thought that our language reveals many things about us including age, gender, social class or status, as well as much about character and personal belief.
'Bad Language' aims to challenge any preconceived ideas regarding the language of others, arguing that it is the content of what we say that is of importance, rather than the way in which we express our ideas. It is perhaps important to note that English language is not a fixed, concrete entity and therefore talk of its preservation is somewhat irrelevant, for change is innate in language itself. We only need to look at the progression from Chaucerian Middle English to the language of today to appreciate this fact. Furthermore, change does not necessarily mean decline, but can often denote vibrancy and diversity in language. The work suggests that Slang words, fillers and even swearing amongst other varieties of informal speech, are an integral part of spoken language, indicating equality between speakers, affirming friendships and often adding a comical aspect to speech.
The authors make it clear that 'Bad language' is frequently a matter of opinion or attitude, as opposed to fact. After all, there have been many instances where informal words or phrases have made their way into so-called 'standard' varieties of language. Furthermore, if many people begin to use language that is deemed to be 'bad' or 'ungrammatical' are the users then incorrect or, is language itself simply failing to keep up with change? Andersson and Trudgill go beyond this, arguing that in creating this idea of 'good' or 'bad' language we are making social judgements on those whose language differs form our own, therefore evoking feelings of superiority. Such attitudes are to be avoided, for this is equated with racial prejudice...
Finally, aspects such as dialect, accent, style and register are investigated, leading to the idea that perhaps a phrase should be put into true context before judgement is passed. Things that may be deemed as 'Bad' in one area of the country may be perfectly acceptable in the speaker's hometown and so allowances must be made. It could be argued that it is 'appropriateness' rather than intrinsic ideas of right and wrong that matter as far as language is concerned. Language should not follow strict pattern or trend as this in itself prevents character expression, for it is thought that our language reveals many things about us including age, gender, social class or status, as well as much about character and personal belief.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
Not bad
22 April 2012
Format:Hardcover
No, this isn't about slang, Daniel (see other review) it's about grammarians, pedants and the like (take a close look at the cover!)
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Fresh, easy complete book.
1 July 2001
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is a fresh, easy-to-understand introduction to slang and other non-standard levels of language. However, it's quite a complete book.
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
