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A review by rgoth
Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
This book is an absolutely captivating read that compels you to delve into the intricacies of how we communicate. It prompted deep reflection on my own journey of adapting the language I use in both professional and academic settings, alongside the efforts I've made to adopt a more neutral accent.
One particular challenge that resonates with me is the vast array of English language variations and the rich interplay of cultures blending their first language with English. For instance, living in my area, I've noticed that two neighboring valleys can employ the same words in entirely different contexts. While the book touches on this issue, it unfortunately doesn't explore it in sufficient depth.
Take, for example, the local slang term 'Wenglish,' a unique fusion of Cymraeg (Welsh) and English. This linguistic blend adds an intricate layer to the already complex nature of language use. Although the author addresses African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and the language used by the queer community in New York City, there are countless other regional dialects and social vernaculars that go unmentioned. While it's likely impractical to encompass every example, acknowledging this reality would have added valuable context.
Furthermore, I believe it's essential to recognize that it isn't only factors such as sexism and misogyny which play a significant role in shaping language, but also class, socioeconomic disparities and colonial influences.
The chapters analysing binary language, in particular, fascinated me, as they illuminated the ways in which such constructs are deeply ingrained in society. Pronouns are such a hot topic at the moment and this chapter explains the argument very well. I was particularly appreciative of how the author illustrated the tendency of even progressive voices to look down on conservative perspectives, especially within the United States, by condescendingly correcting their spelling and grammar.
Overall, this book is a rich and thought-provoking exploration, filled with quotable insights. However, it ultimately only grazes the surface of the remarkable complexity inherent in human language.
One particular challenge that resonates with me is the vast array of English language variations and the rich interplay of cultures blending their first language with English. For instance, living in my area, I've noticed that two neighboring valleys can employ the same words in entirely different contexts. While the book touches on this issue, it unfortunately doesn't explore it in sufficient depth.
Take, for example, the local slang term 'Wenglish,' a unique fusion of Cymraeg (Welsh) and English. This linguistic blend adds an intricate layer to the already complex nature of language use. Although the author addresses African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and the language used by the queer community in New York City, there are countless other regional dialects and social vernaculars that go unmentioned. While it's likely impractical to encompass every example, acknowledging this reality would have added valuable context.
Furthermore, I believe it's essential to recognize that it isn't only factors such as sexism and misogyny which play a significant role in shaping language, but also class, socioeconomic disparities and colonial influences.
The chapters analysing binary language, in particular, fascinated me, as they illuminated the ways in which such constructs are deeply ingrained in society. Pronouns are such a hot topic at the moment and this chapter explains the argument very well. I was particularly appreciative of how the author illustrated the tendency of even progressive voices to look down on conservative perspectives, especially within the United States, by condescendingly correcting their spelling and grammar.
Overall, this book is a rich and thought-provoking exploration, filled with quotable insights. However, it ultimately only grazes the surface of the remarkable complexity inherent in human language.