The Politics of English Review

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The Politics of English ReviewLife is not determined by consciousness, but consciousness by life'. This famous quote from Marx, given right at the beginning of Holborow's book, underpins her examination of the politics of the English language.
In her study Holborow casts a critical eye on several important fields of research in sociolinguistics. To begin with, she argues convincingly that the Saussurean distinction between `langue' (the abstract language system) and `parole' (language as it is spoken) - and the emphasis that was for most of the past century put on the former rather than the latter - has led to a neglect of the social dimension of language use.
In the Chapter entiteled `Money talks: the politics of World English' Holborow sees the global spread of English as being connected to the capitalisation of the world. However, she is both critical of `triumphalist' scholars, who see English as a panacea to the world's ills, and `alarmists' like Phillipson [1992], whose theory of linguistic imperialism is too static to account for the use of English in post-colonial and global settings. Indeed, Holborrow convincingly argues that English can be used as both instrument of repression and empowerment.
Holborow is at her most provocative in her treatment of women's language, an important field in sociolinguistics. She exposes so-called `feminist' studies of language as reinforcing rather than challenging stereotypes about how men and women behave and interact. Holborrow denies that women have a language distinct from men. It is invalid, she argues, to lump women together regardless of such factors as age, race, education of social class.
The last area of Holborow's analysis is the debate surrounding Standard English. This is probably the weakest part of her study, as she only reiterates well-known criticism of archconservative defenders of an imagined `pure' English language. Holborow points out that Standard English is not a neutral tool but that it developed in a rigid class based society.
Despite its subtitle this book will not only appeal to Marxists but to all students, (university) teachers and professional linguists who are interested in a challenge to mainstream views on sociolinguistics. Class and class struggle, it is true, are somewhat overemphasised - with the effect of sometimes overly simplifying more complex issues. However, Holborow's success in exposing weaknesses in traditional sociolinguistic theory makes her study a valuable starting point for discussion, essay writing and further research.The Politics of English Overview'A very welcome and much needed broadening of current theoretical perspectives' - Professor Norman Fairclough



Focusing on three main areas: the global spread of English, Standard English, and language and sexism, this book offers a major reappraisal of the role of language in the social world. In debate with theoretical approaches which underplay the role of language in the social world, Holborow argues that the politics of English arises from the ideological role of language in society and interpretations about nature of language.



The Politics of English



- Examines World English in relation to international capitalism and colonialism.



- Analysis the ideological underpinnings of the debate about Standard English



- Challenges the view that women have 'a language' by arguing that sexism in language arises from social relations



Locating itself in the classical Marxist tradition, the author argues that social life determines consciousness, including language. Only a dialectical understanding of English in society, shaped by social circumstances but also contributing to them, can grasp language as part of 'practical consciousness' of the social world.



The Politics of English provides a timely reconsideration of the ideological aspects of language. As such it will be welcomed by all those interested in sociolinguistics, post-colonial studies, and cultural studies.

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