Area chair
While the emphasis here is on language, the area is by nature interdisciplinary, combining methods and theoretical approaches from any number of academic disciplines, not least linguistics, literature studies, cultural studies, media studies, critical literacy, and pedagogy.
Employing a broad range of critical, theoretical, and methodological tools, this area explores the complex and multifaceted interrelation between language and Popular Culture.
Call for papers: “Language and Popular Culture” invites papers on any topic related to the relationship between language and Popular Culture. Proposals may focus upon any type of language use or communicative event (written, spoken, visual, multi-modal) as it is evidenced in any Popular Culture phenomenon (e.g. internet, social media; film; television; speculative fiction and genre fiction; comics; advertising; music; gaming; the news, etc.). The perspective taken may be contemporary, historical, or a mix of both.
Creative suggestions for papers are encouraged; however, potential presenters may wish to consider topics under broad headings such as:
— ‘Language and identity’, e.g. how certain dialects, registers, and styles are produced and/or represented by ourselves and others and what group memberships they signal,
—‘Language and representation’, e.g. the ways in which linguistic representations help to create and/or promote certain ways of thinking about social and cultural variables or constructs such as ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, social class, physical and mental health, etc.,
— ‘Media rhetoric’, e.g. how media discourse (especially in advertising, talk shows, and pundit-driven news) can work to impress a view on us, further specific interests, or maintain a hegemony,
— ‘Computer-mediated communication/Language and technology’, e.g. how new technology and Web conventions are introducing linguistic changes, promoting new discourse conventions, and transforming the way we communicate in general,
— ‘Popular Culture and language learning’ e.g. how the language encountered through Popular Culture can serve as a model for imitation for learners (both native and non-native) and how second-language learning can be promoted/enhanced through Popular Culture.
Naturally, other themes/proposals relevant to Language and Popular Culture are also welcome.