Now in its tenth edition, this market—leading language reader continues to feature thought—provoking readings that explore the various interconnections between language and American society.

For over 25 years, this engaging reader has challenged students to critically examine how language affects and constructs culture and how culture constructs and affects language. This tenth edition maintains the integrity of past editions, while reflecting the new and fascinating language issues that exist in today's culture. Provocative selections are organized around nine major language areas, and then broken into stimulating sub—themes like political correctness, hate speech, language and the presidency, and censorship on campus, inviting students to debate current social and cultural issues that are inseparable from language.