3 Review(s)

This volume brings together Bourdieu's writings on the relations between language, culture and class. Bourdieu argues that language should be viewed not only as a means of communication, but also as a medium of power. He also attacks the more traditiona approaches to language and critizies in particular the linguistic theories of Saussure and Chomsky. Applying his distinctive approach, Bordieu sheds new light on the ways in which linguistic usage varies according to considerations such as class and gender. He also offers a new aproach to understanding the way in which language is used in the domain of politics. His theory of symbolic power has had influence in the fields of sociology and cultural studies.