LINGUIST List 26.3891

Wed Sep 02 2015

Books: Elastic Language: Zhang

Editor for this issue: Sara Couture <saralinguistlist.org>

Date: 01-Sep-2015
From: Katie Laker <klakercambridge.org>
Subject: Elastic Language: Zhang
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Title: Elastic Language
Subtitle: How and Why we Stretch our Words
Published: 2015
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
                http://cambridge.org

Book URL: http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/languages-linguistics/semantics-and-pragmatics/elastic-language-how-and-why-we-stretch-our-words?format=HB

Author: Grace Qiao Zhang
Hardback: ISBN: 9781107028449 Pages: Price: U.S. $ 110.00
Hardback: ISBN: 9781107028449 Pages: Price: U.K. £ 69.99
Abstract:

Elastic language carries non-specific and stretchable meaning, as in 'He loves her, kind of'. It is used like a slingshot, targeting various strategic goals. Consolidating current research and charting new directions, this book develops a refreshing theory of elasticity, empirically attested by natural language data from tension-prone encounters between Australian Customs officers and passengers. The theory proposes three principles (fluidity, stretchability and strategy) and offers a systematic look at how elastic language, as a sliding scale, works to balance strengthening and weakening speech tones, to firm and soften a speaker's stance, and to reveal and evade the truth. The comparative analysis of forms, functions, and context confirms that elastic language is fluid, stretchable, and strategic. It serves both cooperative and competitive functions, and social and speech factors impact on its use. This book will appeal to students and researchers working in pragmatics, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, and communication.

1. Introduction; 2. Theoretical foundations; 3. Elasticity Theory; 4. Methodology; 5. Linguistic realisation of elastic language; 6. Strategies of elastic language; 7. Elastic language, power and gender; 8. Elastic language and speech factors; 9. General discussion; 10. Conclusions and implications.

Linguistic Field(s): Discourse Analysis
                            General Linguistics
                            Pragmatics
                            Sociolinguistics

Written In: English (eng)

See this book announcement on our website:
http://linguistlist.org/pubs/books/get-book.cfm?BookID=89733


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Cambridge University Press http://us.cambridge.org

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Page Updated: 02-Sep-2015