This book examines the ways in which the media represents language-related issues, but also how the media's use of language is central to the construction of what people think language is, could or ought to be like. The chapters examine issues of identity, gender, youth, citizenship, politics and ideology across a range of media, including television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the internet. The result is a multilingual survey of the construction of language in and by the media that will be essential reading for students and researchers of sociolinguistics or language and communication.

'This is not just another book on media language. In a sophisticated, original and sharply critical way, it shows us how the media lens gives language distinctive forms and values. Sociolinguistics comes of age when it analyses the mediation of language - a truly contemporary phenomenon. That is what this book achieves, comprehensively and brilliantly.' -Professor Nikolas Coupland, Centre for Language and Communication Research, Cardiff University, UK