War words : : language, history and the disciplining of English / / Urszula Clark.

• VerfasserIn: Clark, Urszula,
• Place / Publishing House: Oxford, United Kingdom : : Elsevier,, 2001.; ©2001
• Year of Publication: 2001
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (xi, 309 pages) :; illustrations.

Debates about the nature of literacy and literacy practices have been conducted extensively in the last fifteen years or so. The fact that both previous and current British governments have effectively suppressed any real debate makes the publication of this book both timely and important. Here, Urszula Clark stresses the underlying ideological character of such debates and shows that they have deep historical roots. She also makes the point that issues regarding the relationship between language and identity, especially national identity, become sharply focused at times of crisis in that identity. By undertaking a comparison with other major English-speaking countries, most notably Australia, New Zealand and the USA, Clark shows how these times of crisis reverberate around the globe.-- Provided by publisher.

Table of Contents

Language, history and pedagogic discourse -- Language and education in the 19th century -- English for the English: a language for life? -- Nationalising a curriculum for English -- Sparking a war of words: recontextualising grammar within curriculum statements for English in New Zealand and Australia -- The ebonics debate: race, culture, language and identity in the USA -- Conclusion.