What Is Critical in Language Studies

Book excerpt: This volume examines the notion of criticality in language studies. Drawing on the work of the Frankfurt School – Adorno, Habermas, Horkheimer, and Marcuse, among others – the chapters in the volume examine a variety of linguistic contexts: from gender activism to web journalism, from the classroom to the open streets. It also presents theoretical and methodological guidelines to researchers interested in • Expanding their critical outlook for meaning brought on by the notion of criticality in contemporary language studies. • Understanding criticality in languages through historical, political, and social perspectives. • Using linguistics and language studies as tools to dissect and disclose social injustices. This book will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of language studies and linguistics, philosophy, politics, and sociology and social policy.