Why Do Linguistics?

Reflective Linguistics and the Study of Language

Fiona English & Tim Marr

"This highly original overview of the field of linguistics answers the question posed by its
title in multiple ways - all of them convincing, entertaining and informative. As someone
working with secondary school English departments, I was particularly interested in
Fiona English and Tim Marr's chapter arguing that language study should be given
much more serious consideration in the school curriculum. I couldn't agree more and
now feel more empowered than ever to make the case with anyone who might think
otherwise. The book is very readable throughout and I would recommend it to anyone
with a serious interest in language. I finished more convinced than ever that students at
all levels need to do linguistics - and it made me want to do the subject all over again." -
Andrew McCallum, Co-Director of the English and Media Centre, London, UK

20% off with this flyer!

Paperback | 304 pp | January 2015 | 9781441166098 | £16.99 £13.59

What do we need to know about language and why do we need to know it? This book shows how viewing the world
through a linguistics lens can help us to understand how we communicate with each other and why we do it in the ways
we do. Above all this book is about noticing. It is about encouraging readers to pay attention to the language that
surrounds them.

The book addresses fundamental linguistic questions such as: Where do people’s beliefs about language come from?
Who decides what language we should speak? How do we choose the best way to express what we mean? It
introduces a set of practical tools for language analysis and, using examples of authentic communicative activity
including overheard conversations, Facebook posts and public announcements, shows how this kind of analysis works
and what it can tell us about social interaction.

Exploring language and language use from a social, intercultural and multilingual perspective, the authors demonstrate
the relevance of linguistics in understanding day-to-day interaction. This book will help readers not only to become
informed, active observers of language for its own sake, but also to be able to take on and challenge some of the
misconceptions, assumptions and prejudices that so often underlie public discussion of language issues.

Fiona English is a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Multimodal Research, Department of Culture, Media and
Communication, Institute of Education, University of London, UK

Tim Marr is a Visiting Professor in Applied Linguistics at the Centre for Educational Research and Services, Pontificia
Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
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