The Language of Robert Burns Style, Ideology, and Identity [Hardcover]

In this fascinating study, Broadhead presents a picture of Burns that is far removed from the rustic self-educated Scottish peasant who used the Scottish dialect in his poetry because he was not sufficiently sophisticated in his use of English. . . .Broadhead takes a 21st-century sociolinguistic approach to show that Burns not only had great command of both English and Scots, but also was a master linguist who manipulated different registers and dialects in his poetry. The author presents his argument in his coherent introduction; in the five chapters that follow, he focuses on different aspects of Burns's use of language in his poetry. Writing primarily for those conversant with literary criticism, the author includes easy-to-understand explanations of the linguistic concepts he uses and a wealth of examples from the poetry itself to illustrate his argument effectively. In taking a linguistic approach, Broadhead reveals another intriguing layer of Burns's sociopolitical and cultural impact. . . .A helpful glossary of Scots words is included. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students through faculty.For most literary scholars, the value of the book may seem to lie in its detailed comments on particular works or passages, but it also lays out a larger case about the language scene in late 18th century Scotland and about Burnss activity and significance for its continuing development.This study makes an outstanding contribution to the on-going reassessment of the function of language in Robert Burnss literary works. Applying ideas and methods from modern sociolinguistics, Broadhead undertakes a perceptive evaluation of Burnss linguistic astuteness, and he challenges the common misconception of the poet as a vernacular writer marginalised by his mixing of English, Scots and local dialects. Instead, Broadhead offers a critically nuanced account of the poets multilingualism and linguistic experimentalism. . . .Broadhead succeeds both in offering a new perspeclC'