Patrick Stevenson Boeken

"Language has always played an important part in the debates on cultural and political identity in the German-speaking areas of Europe. It is therefore not surprising that the dramatic events of the early 1990s, most notably the reunification of Germany, have led to an upsurge of interest in the German language."--BOOK JACKET. "This collection of specially commissioned essays provides an insight into the interests and approaches of German-speaking linguists in this period of dynamic change, focusing on the forms, functions, and uses of contemporary German. Some contributors address broad issues language and national identity, the status of German as an international language, language change and attempts to fix the form of the language, and sociolinguistic variation while others examine topics of particular significance in the current sociopolitical climate. These include social change and linguistic variation in Berlin after the Wall, the political language of the Right and Left, the speech of youth subcultures, language and gender, language and television, and language in intercultural communication."--Jacket

This book explores the intricate connections between language and societal dynamics within German-speaking regions. It delves into how linguistic practices reflect cultural identities, social structures, and historical contexts, offering insights into the role of language in shaping social interactions and community life. Through various analyses, it highlights the significance of language as a tool for both communication and social cohesion, making it a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of language in society.

This accessible textbook offers students the opportunity to explore for themselves a wide range of sociolinguistic issues relating to the German language and its role in societies around the world. It is written for undergraduate students who have a sound practical knowledge of German but who have little or no knowledge of linguistics or sociolinguistics. It combines text with practical exercises and discussion questions to stimulate readers to think for themselves and to tackle specific problems.In Part One Patrick Stevenson invites readers to investigate and reflect on issues about the status and function of the German language in relation to its speakers and to speakers of other languages with which it comes into contact. In Part Two the focus shifts to the forms and functions of individual features of the language. This involves, for example, identifying features of regional speech forms, analysing similarities and differences between written and spoken German, or looking at the 'social meaning' underlying different forms of address. Part Three explores the relationship between the German language and the nature of 'Germanness'. It concentrates on people's attitudes towards the language, the ways in which it is changing, and their views on what it represents for them.

This lively and engaging book, set in the historical context of centuries of migration and multilingualism in Berlin, explores the relationship between language and migration. Berlin is a multicultural city in the heart of Europe, but what do we know about the number of languages spoken by its inhabitants and how they are used in everyday life? How do encounters with different languages impact on the experience of migration? And how do people use their experiences with language to shape their life stories? To investigate these questions, the author invites the reader to accompany him on a research expedition that leads to an apartment building in the highly diverse district of Neukölln. Its inhabitants come from different parts of the world and relate their experiences – their Berlin lives – in ways that reveal the complex and intricate relationships between language and migration.