Speaking Culturally Language Diversity in the United States [Paperback]

In Speaking Culturally Fern Johnson probes the rich cultural legacies and deep cultural dimensions underlying discourse in the United States. This culturally rich examination of discourse places the changing demographics of the United States in linguistic perspective and draws upon the author's language-centered perspective on culture to illuminate the discourses associated with gender and with African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans. Language is placed in the context of the histories, multiplicities, and cultural themes influencing its users.

In Speaking Culturally Fern Johnson probes the rich cultural legacies and deep cultural dimensions underlying discourse in the United States. This culturally rich examination of discourse places the changing demographics of the United States in linguistic perspective and draws upon the author's language-centered perspective on culture to illuminate the discourses associated with gender and with African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans. Language is placed in the context of the histories, multiplicities, and cultural themes influencing its users.

PART ONE: LANGUAGE IN DEMOGRAPHIC AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
The Linguistic Environment of the United States
The Language System in Its Communicative Contexts
Cultural Dimensions of Discourse
PART TWO: LOCATING CULTURAL DUSCOURSES
The Discourses of Gender
African American Discourse in Cultural and Historical Context
Hispanic Peoples and Their Language Patterns
Language and Cultural Complexity in Asian American Identities
PART THREE: LANGUAGE CONSEQUENCES AND CONTROVERSIES
Discourse Consequences
Where Language and Culture Matter
Bilingual Education,Ebonics, and the Ideology of Standard English