
Evaluative Language in Sports
Crowds, Coaches and Commentators
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 29. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
174 pages
978-1-032-76417-7 (ISBN)
Description
Walsh, Caldwell and Jureidini offer an expansive linguistic perspective on the evaluative language prevalent in the world of professional sports.
This book presents a close linguistic analysis of evaluative language in sport. Drawing on appraisal theory and data from three distinct sporting contexts - songs and chants in football stadiums, television commentary and coach discourse - it examines the critical role played by affectual, judgemental and appreciative language. In the spirit of sociolinguistics, this book also considers the history and culture of the respective sporting contexts. Connections are made between the evaluative language expressed by supporters, commentators and coaches and the invocation of power and solidarity. Evaluative Language in Sports gives insight into some of the key language practices that contribute to professional sports culture: a communal and combative world of winners and losers, 'us and 'them'.
An innovative and valuable book that will appeal to students, researchers and sports enthusiasts interested in sports communication and language, sociolinguistics and media studies.
This book presents a close linguistic analysis of evaluative language in sport. Drawing on appraisal theory and data from three distinct sporting contexts - songs and chants in football stadiums, television commentary and coach discourse - it examines the critical role played by affectual, judgemental and appreciative language. In the spirit of sociolinguistics, this book also considers the history and culture of the respective sporting contexts. Connections are made between the evaluative language expressed by supporters, commentators and coaches and the invocation of power and solidarity. Evaluative Language in Sports gives insight into some of the key language practices that contribute to professional sports culture: a communal and combative world of winners and losers, 'us and 'them'.
An innovative and valuable book that will appeal to students, researchers and sports enthusiasts interested in sports communication and language, sociolinguistics and media studies.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate
Illustrations
6 s/w Tabellen, 11 s/w Abbildungen, 1 s/w Photographie bzw. Rasterbild, 10 s/w Zeichnungen
6 Tables, black and white; 10 Line drawings, black and white; 1 Halftones, black and white; 11 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
289 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-76417-7 (9781032764177)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

John Walsh | David Caldwell | Jon Jureidini
Evaluative Language in Sports
Crowds, Coaches and Commentators
Book
05/2024
1st Edition
Routledge
€193.40
Shipment within 10-20 days

John Walsh | David Caldwell | Jon Jureidini
Evaluative Language in Sports
Crowds, Coaches and Commentators
E-Book
05/2024
1st Edition
Routledge
€60.49
Available for download

John Walsh | David Caldwell | Jon Jureidini
Evaluative Language in Sports
Crowds, Coaches and Commentators
E-Book
05/2024
1st Edition
Routledge
€60.49
Available for download
Persons
John Walsh was a senior lecturer in the Department of Linguistics, University of Adelaide, Australia. He taught courses in SFL to undergraduate and postgraduate students. He supervised several students undertaking higher degree research within the tradition of SFL. He had a wide range of interests spanning sport, education and health. These different domains are united by the application of SFL to address a range of research questions related to the ways in which language is used in the exercise and achievement of personal and professional lives.
David Caldwell is a senior lecturer in English Language and Literacy, in Education Futures, University of South Australia, Australia. His research applies functional linguistics to a range of contemporary language contexts, with a focus on the role language plays in learning, identity and inclusion. David is the co-series editor for the Bloomsbury series: Studies in Systemic Functional Linguistics and a co-convener of the AILA Research Network: Applied Linguistics in Sport.
Jon Jureidini is a professor in the School of Medicine and Research Leader for the Critical and Ethical Mental Health Research Group at the University of Adelaide, Australia.
David Caldwell is a senior lecturer in English Language and Literacy, in Education Futures, University of South Australia, Australia. His research applies functional linguistics to a range of contemporary language contexts, with a focus on the role language plays in learning, identity and inclusion. David is the co-series editor for the Bloomsbury series: Studies in Systemic Functional Linguistics and a co-convener of the AILA Research Network: Applied Linguistics in Sport.
Jon Jureidini is a professor in the School of Medicine and Research Leader for the Critical and Ethical Mental Health Research Group at the University of Adelaide, Australia.
Author
University of Adelaide, Australia
University of South Australia, Australia
University of Adelaide, Australia
Content
1. Sports discourse 2. Singing and chanting 3. Television commentary 4. Coaching 5. Exploring attitude in sport