Words matter: Meaning and power by Sally McConnell-Ginet

Abstract

Isn’t speaking grammatically important anymore? What might be meant by ‘hate speech’ or ‘dangerous speech’? ‘Does ‘free speech’ license saying anything at all in any context? (pp. 1-2). These kinds of issues are a focus of this book. The ideas articulated by Sally McConnell-Ginet are an analysis of everyday linguistic interactions. While McConnell-Ginet is an Emeritus Professor of Linguistics, she appeals to the general reader by challenging them to develop an awareness of these kinds of encounters. The concept here is that language is not some abstract idea but is socially situated.