Linguistic insecurities and authorities 19th- and 21st-century language commentary on French Emma Humphries, Queen's University Belfast

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Humphries, Emma, Author.

Series:

IMPACT: Studies in Language, Culture and Society Series

IMPACT: Studies in Language, Culture and Society Series v.54

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

French language--Social aspects.

French language.

Language awareness--France--History--19th century.

Language awareness.

Language awareness--France--History--21st century.

French language--Standardization.

French language--Variation.

Language awareness--History.

France.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam Philadelphia John Benjamins Publishing Company 2025

Summary:

"This book offers two new perspectives on language attitudes and ideologies. First, it compares language commentary from two thus far relatively neglected time periods: the 19th and 21st centuries. Second, it draws on non-traditional, dialogic sources to explore not only the well-studied "expert" views on language but also the perspectives of the "audience" engaging with these texts. Using France and the French language as its case study, the book explores the areas of stability and change in questions of linguistic authority, insecurity, and correctness. It sheds new light on the evolution of the long-established genre of language commentary and deepens our understanding of the language attitudes and ideologies that shape how language is viewed, discussed and judged. This book will appeal to linguists interested in language attitudes and ideologies in both historical and contemporary contexts"-- Provided by publisher

Contents:

Intro

Table of contents

List of tables

List of figures

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Scope of the book

Structure of the book

Part I Background and theory

Chapter 1 Studying language attitudes and ideologies

1.1 Standard languages and standardisation

1.2 Standard language ideology, prescriptivism and purism

1.2.1 Standard language ideology

1.2.2 Prescriptivism and descriptivism

1.2.3 Purism

1.2.4 Summary of concepts

1.3 Approaches to the study of prescriptivism

1.4 Conclusion

Chapter 2 A history of language commentary in France from the 16th to the 21st century

2.1 Standardisation and metalinguistic texts in France

2.1.1 France as a special case?

2.2 Tropes in language commentary

2.3 Introducing the corpus

2.3.1 Le Courrier de Vaugelas

2.3.2 Courrier des internautes

2.3.3 Langue sauce piquante

2.3.4 Bescherelle ta mère

2.4 Situating the corpora

2.5 Methodological considerations for the use of historical and online metalinguistic data

2.5.1 Methodological considerations

2.5.2 Methodological considerations

2.5.3 Methodological considerations

2.6 Conclusion

Chapter 3 Examining the corpora

3.1 Le Courrier de Vaugelas

3.1.1 Éman Martin, the editor of Le Courrier de Vaugelas

3.1.2 The audience

3.1.2.1 Courrier readers

3.1.2.2 Courrier readers

3.1.2.3 Courrier readers

3.1.2.4 Courrier readers

3.1.2.5 Courrier readers

3.1.2.6 Summary

3.2 Courrier des internautes

3.2.1 The Académie française and the Service du Dictionnaire

3.2.2 The audience

3.2.2.1 Internautes users

3.2.2.2 Internautes users

3.2.2.3 Internautes users

3.2.2.4 Summary

3.3 Langue sauce piquante

3.4 Bescherelle ta mère

3.5 Conclusion

Part II Analysis of sources

Chapter 4 Areas of doubt and difficulty in the French language

4.1 Categorisation of language topics addressed in the Courrier and Internautes

4.2 Comparing readers' doubts from France and abroad

4.3 Comparing readers' doubts and difficulties

4.3.1 Language history

4.3.2 Meaning

4.3.3 Morpho-syntax

4.3.4 Spelling

4.3.5 Vocabulary

4.3.6 Phonology and pronunciation

4.3.7 Style

4.3.8 Metalinguistic questions and opinions about language

4.4 Conclusion

Chapter 5 Creating and negotiating authority

5.1 Data samples for qualitative analysis

5.2 Use of external authorities

5.2.1 Language reference works

5.2.2 Literature

5.2.3 Summary

5.3 Language use and rhetorical devices

5.3.1 Language and correctness

5.3.2 Advising and prescribing

5.3.3 The use of personal pronouns

5.3.4 Summary

5.4 Conclusion

Chapter 6 Strategies of critique and justification in language advice publications from the 19th century (Le Courrier de Vaugelas) and the 21st century (Courrier des internautes)

6.1 Common tropes

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed

Other Format:

Print version Humphries, Emma Linguistic insecurities and authorities

Print version:

ISBN:

9027244952

9789027244956

OCLC:

1512328909

Publisher Number:

CIPO000231423

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license