An Introduction to Language and Society

In this new edition of a classic textbook, Martin Montgomery explores some of the ways in which the life of language intermingles with the life of society. He explores the ways in which children learn language in interaction with those around them, thereby developing a crucial resource for making sense of their world. He considers the function of language in everyday encounters and in shaping social relations. Finally he looks at the ways in which our habitual ways of seeing and engaging with the world may be shaped by the categories, systems and patterns of our language. The third edition: addresses the technological changes which have taken place since the book was first published and assesses their impact on the media and the ways in which we communicate with each other - from the internet and email to text messaging and hip-hop provides a more international perspective, for example through heavier reference to American, Australian and Indian English provides weblinks tosupport the updated bibliography and further reading sections, and more developed exercises and activities in each chapter.