Watching TV with a Linguist

In Watching TV with a Linguist, F gersten challenges the conventional view of television as lowbrow entertainment devoid of intellectual activity. Rather, she champions the use of fictional television to learn about linguistics and at the same time promotes enriched television viewing experiences by explaining the role of language in creating humor, conveying drama, and developing identifiable characters. The essays gathered in this volume explore specific areas of linguistics, providing a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to the study of language. Through programs such as Seinfeld, The Simpsons, Sherlock, and The Wire, contributors deftly illustrate key linguistic concepts and terminology using snippets of familiar dialogue and examples of subtle narration. In addition, contributors aim to raise linguistic awareness among readers by identifying linguistics in action, encouraging readers to recognize additional examples of concepts on their own. To this end, each chapter provides suggestions for viewing other television series or specific episodes, where further examples of the linguistic concepts in focus can be found. Invaluable as a resource in linguistics and communication courses, Watching TV with a Linguist is the first book to use the familiar and compelling medium of television to engage students with the science of language.

Author: Kristy Beers Fagersten
Publisher: Syracuse University Press
Published: 09/09/2016
Pages: 406
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 9.00h x 5.90w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9780815610816

About the Author
Kristy Beers Fägersten is associate professor of English linguistics at Södertörn University in Sweden. She is the author of Who's Swearing Now? The Social Aspects of Conversational Swearing.