Linguistic Choices in the Contemporary City: Postmodern Individuals in Urban Communicative Settings

Linguistic Choices in the Contemporary City explores how individuals navigate conversation in diverse contexts, covering state-of-the-art research in urban sociolinguistics. It considers the impact of international travel and migration, addressing language use challenges in various settings to present oneself positively and meet information and identity goals. The book showcases a broad range of language choices, from Chinese immigrants to Finnish immigrants, and the use of local lingua francas. It emphasizes the natural use of language play, improvisation, humor, lies, and subconscious pronunciation choices in discourses. The volume provides numerous examples of these techniques, illustrating how postmodern individuals in different cultural and situational circumstances exhibit similar human behaviors and intentions. It is of interest to scholars in Sociolinguistics, Pragmatics, Linguistic Anthropology, and related fields.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Linguistic Choices in the Contemporary City delves into the intricate dynamics of human communication within diverse urban contexts, offering a comprehensive survey of cutting-edge research in urban sociolinguistics across the globe. With a keen awareness of the influence of international travel and migration, the book explores the shifting paradigms in contemporary studies, focusing on the intricate interplay of language choices in spaces where people from diverse backgrounds converge and exchange ideas. It specifically addresses the challenges individuals face in navigating language usage to present themselves positively and achieve their information and identity goals.

While the experiences of speakers serve as a thread that weaves through this volume, the linguistic, cultural, and situational focus is expansive, encompassing a wide range of scenarios. From the language choices of Chinese immigrants in Beijing to Finnish immigrants in Japan, to the utilization of the local lingua franca by motor taxi drivers in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon, and the uninhibited expressions of political correctness by Hungarian students in their dorm rooms, the book showcases the diverse linguistic practices and techniques employed by individuals in various contexts.

As it emerges, language play, improvisation, humor, lies, and highly marked subconscious pronunciation choices are natural components of human discourse. This volume provides numerous and extensive examples of these techniques, shedding light on the intricate ways in which postmodern individuals navigate communicative challenges in extraordinarily different cultural and situational circumstances. By examining personalized linguistic and extra-linguistic styles, the book paints a vivid picture of how these individuals exhibit strikingly similar human behaviors and intentions, despite their diverse backgrounds.

Linguistic Choices in the Contemporary City holds immense appeal to scholars and researchers engaged in theoretical and methodological advancements in the field of urban sociolinguistics. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the complexities of language use in contemporary urban environments, fostering a broader appreciation of the human capacity for communication and adaptation.

Weight: 800g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367366735