Description
Book SynopsisThis 2007 text explores why matters of orthography are of real concern to so many groups as a powerful symbol of national or local identity. Will be welcomed by students and researchers in English language, orthography and sociolinguistics, and by anyone interested in the importance of spelling in contemporary society.
Trade ReviewReview of the hardback: 'Mark Sebba goes beyond a description of the culture and the politics of orthography around the globe … such a 'sociolinguistics of orthography' has been missing from the literature.' Pragmatics
'Spelling and Society is a well written, researched, and structured book, with each chapter partitioned into reasonably-sized, subtitled sections, making for an enjoyable read.' Lionel Mathieu, Linguist List
Table of ContentsIntroduction: society and orthography; 1. Approaching orthography; 2. Orthography as social practice; 3. Language contact, linguists and the emergence of orthographies; 4. 'Postcolonial' orthographies; 5. Between language and dialect: orthography in unstandardised and standardising vernaculars; 6. Reform or revolution: where angels fear to tread; 7. Why do we spell?
