Gender and Language Theory and Practice

Lia Litosseliti is a Lecturer in Linguistics at City University, London, UK. Her research concentrates on the areas of gender and language, argumentation, discourse analysis, and research issues and methodologies. She is also the author of Using Focus Groups in Research (2003) and co-editor of Discourse Analysis and Gender Identity (2002).

• IntroductionPart I Theorizations of gender and language1. Putting gender and language on the map2. The 'language of women': lacking, powerless, different3. The shift to discourse: the discursive construction of gendered identitiesPart II Gender in context4. Gender and language in education5. Gender and language in the media6. Gender and language in the workplacePart III Researching gender and language7. Starting points for researchers, teachers and students

Litosseliti manages to tell the gender and language story in a steady, clearand accessible, but at the same time scholarly way, and never patronises herreaders. In terms of accessibility and being up-to-date, this book now seemsthe best choice for anyone teaching 'Language and Gender' to upperundergraduates and postgraduates, as well as for independent study. Withuseful summaries and further reading at the end of each chapter, examplesand activities in the form of questions within the chapters, usefulcross-referencing throughout, and a rich bibliography, this is anundoubtedly valuable resource for teachers, students, and researchers.Jane Sunderland, Lancaster University, UKThis book's numerous contemporary examples drawn from the media andconversations will be very appealing to student readers. The lucid andaccessible chapters on media, education and workplaces reflect the latestresearch, as they highlight key sites for scholarship and activism. Thechapter on principles for feminist linguistic research will be aninvaluable aid for any instructor interested in helping students tocritically read research, or to engage in research on their own.Bonnie McElhinny, University of Toronto, CanadaLia Litosseliti provides a valuable introduction to language and gender forthose new to this rapidly developing field. The focus on both theory andpractice (an exploration of language and gender in education, the media andthe workplace) make this an engaging and accessible resource for students.Joan Swann, Open University, UKThis book offers a stimulating appraisal of a range of language and gendertheories. It places a particular emphasis upon current constructionist anddiscursive approaches, and gives an excellent survey of recent researchstudies. MA and 3rd year undergraduates will benefit enormously from thislucid guide to the field.Judith Baxter, University of Reading, UK