Keywords in Language and Literacy

The teaching and practice of language and literacy is a hotly contested subject. Questions like "what is standard English?", "what is grammar?" and the place accorded to canonical writers in the curriculum continue to provoke controversy. In this A to Z guide to language and literacy, Ronald Carter unpicks the meaning of key terms like "proper English", "real books", "text" and "discourse", and the way in which such concepts are used - and abused - by teachers, politicians, linguists, journalists and employers. Each definition is cross-referenced and supported by examples and references to further reading.