Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary

Keywords for Today is a book that delves into the history of language to better understand our contemporary world. It updates and extends Raymond Williams's classic work, Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society, covering topics such as nature, realism, violence, and more. It is a valuable tool for critical thinkers interested in the history of language or politics, providing crucial contexts and histories of our vocabulary.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 20 December 2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Keywords for Today delves into the rich tapestry of language history, offering a profound exploration of our contemporary world. Spanning a wide range of topics, from nature to cultural appropriation, and from black to terror, the most significant words in political and cultural discourse have intricate and multifaceted histories. Written by The Keywords Project, a collective of independent scholars dedicated to this work for over a decade, this book offers a fresh perspective on Raymond Williams's classic masterpiece, Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society. Originally published in 1976, during Williams's esteemed tenure as the most prominent socialist thinker in Britain, Keywords emerged as a collection of notes originally written for Culture and Society (1958), one of the foundational texts in cultural studies.

Keywords for Today serves as a comprehensive update and expansion of Williams's original work. It incorporates approximately 40 revised entries, such as nature, realism, violence, and others, tailored to the twenty-first century. Additionally, the book introduces 85 new entries, covering a diverse array of subjects, from access to youth. This book encompasses two interconnected realms: it serves as a historical chronicle of English, documenting significant semantic shifts and evolution over time. At the same time, it functions as a valuable handbook of current political and ideological debates. Whether delving into the recently discovered religious connotations of fundamentalism or unraveling the intricate linguistic history of queer, Keywords for Today captivates and enlightens readers. It is an indispensable tool for critical thinkers who are intrigued by the history of language or politics.

Keywords for Today provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the contexts and histories that shape our vocabulary. It unravels the cultural, identity, sexuality, and socialist dimensions of our language, shedding light on the intricate connections between words and the societies they represent. By exploring these topics, the book empowers readers to navigate the complexities of our contemporary world with a deeper appreciation of the linguistic tools at their disposal. In conclusion, Keywords for Today is a groundbreaking work that offers a profound exploration of language history and its profound impact on our contemporary world. Written by a dedicated team of scholars, it provides a valuable resource for critical thinkers, educators, and anyone seeking to understand the complexities of our linguistic and political landscape.

Weight: 436g
Dimension: 141 x 209 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190636579