Words in Action explores the many ways in which language permeates our social world. Ishani Maitra and Mary Kate McGowan explain how tools from the philosophy of language can help illuminate how language works socially, and how we can challenge the injustices wrought by language use. Their accessible introduction to this growing subfield is suitable for both students and scholars.

This book explores the complex nature of offence, examining how language, from words to patterns, constructs offensive meanings. Offence is shown as subjective, shaped by the target's perspective. Through a multi-layered analysis of language on social media, it reveals how language choices can have significant consequences.

Even before its usage to mean "a female canine," bitch didn't refer to women at all-it originated as a gender-neutral word for "genitalia." A perfectly innocuous word devolving into an insult directed at females is the case for tons more terms, including hussy, which simply meant "housewife";

A comprehensive guide to global English variations in phonology, grammar, vocabulary, and pragmatics. Features new audio examples, updated models, inclusive language sections, and expanded foreign-variety descriptions.

A comprehensive guide to global English variations in phonology, grammar, vocabulary, and pragmatics. Features new audio examples, updated models, inclusive language sections, and expanded foreign-variety descriptions.