In Bourdieusian theory, the use of so-called 'legitimate' language serves to maintain dominant power structures, with 'legitimacy' determined by an array of economic and social conditions inherent in speech communities. Standard languages function as normalised products and are imbued with a greater degree of legitimacy than non-standard varieties…

For diasporic communities, beyond the obvious dichotomy between the home language and the language used by the host community, there lie the complexities of language use and language ideologies related to standard and non-standard versions spoken by the community members. These complexities galvanise various attitudes performed through linguistic…

Despite having numerous Chinese language varieties and non-Chinese ethnic minority languages, China is often considered a monolingual nation (Liang, Sihua. 2015. "Language Attitudes and Identities in Multilingual China: A Linguistic Ethnography." London: Springer, 154). The country's strong monolingual language policy heavily promotes a…

Examines stereotypes of both race and language as to the bases upon which they rest in popular thinking and in classical anthropology and linguistics. Suggests a need for fresh models to accommodate a dynamic relationship between social stereotypes and ethnic and linguistic focusing. (EKN)

Explores the tension between the manner in which intergroup language differences are used to symbolize group membership and the manner in which they mirror and reinforce social class and power distinctions. (EKN)

Discusses the idea that for many Black adolescents the use of creole is an assertion of identity and cultural difference. Examines the use of and attitudes toward creole by both Black and White adolescents in London. (EKN)