Disinventing and Reconstituting Languages

Klappentext This book questions assumptions about the nature of language. Looking at diverse contexts from sign languages in Indonesia to literacy practices in Brazil, the authors argue that unless we change the ways in which languages are taught and conceptualized, language studies will not be able to improve the social welfare of language users. "This book should be essential reading for language theorists and language practitioners alike and will interest a wide readership concerned with linking a socially responsible applied linguistics to a sophisticated discourse on the nature of language. Christopher Stroud, professor of Linguistics at the University of the Western Cape" This book questions assumptions about the nature of language. Looking at diverse contexts from sign languages in Indonesia to literacy practices in Brazil, the authors argue that unless we change the ways in which languages are taught and conceptualized, language studies will not be able to improve the social welfare of language users.

Product details

• Authors: Sinfree Makoni, Sinfree B Makoni
• Assisted by: Sinfree Makoni (Editor), Alastair Pennycook (Editor)
• Publisher: Multilingual Matters
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 22.11.2006
• EAN: 9781853599231
• ISBN: 978-1-85359-923-1
• No. of pages: 264
• Series: Bilingual Education & Bilingualism; Bilingual Education & Bilingua; Bilingual Education & Bilingualism
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics