Sauntson, Helen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0373-1242 (2023) Gender and Sexuality. In: Li Wei, Li Wei, Hua, Zhu and Simpson, James, (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Applied Linguistics. 2 ed. London, Routledge

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Abstract

Language, gender and sexuality emerged as a field of study within linguistics (particularly sociolinguistics) in the 1970s and, since then, has grown exponentially to become a popular and politically relevant areas of study and research within applied linguistics. In its broadest terms, the field highlights the role of language in understanding issues, identities, relationships and debates relating to genders and sexualities. This chapter introduces readers to key topics, themes, perspectives and methods in the field. It starts with the observation that, within the field of language, gender and sexuality, there has been a historical shift away from notions of ‘gender difference’ to more fluid ideas about gender and sexualities as multiple, fluid, performative and contingent. Recently, the field has become increasingly concerned with challenging binary and static constructions of gender, sex and sexuality and the chapter considers how this shift has resulted in a greater focus on linguistic representations of gender and sexuality, rather than a focus on the linguistic behaviour of groups and individuals. Furthermore, I consider how these theoretical shifts have initiated a re-evaluation of the categories themselves with questions asked about how language functions to actively produced socially contingent ‘categories’ of sex, gender and sexuality. After outlining key theoretical developments, the chapter goes on to introduce some of the most commonly used methods and analytical frameworks in contemporary language, gender and sexuality research. Finally, I consider some key areas of application including education, law, media, employment and politics.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	"This is an Accepted Manuscript of a book chapter published by Routledge in The Routledge Handbook of Applied Linguistics on 30/08/2023 available online: https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Handbook-of-Applied-Linguistics-Volume-Two/Wei-Hua-Simpson/p/book/9780367536244”
Status:	Published
DOI:	10.4324/9781003082637-14
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics > P40 Sociolinguitics
School/Department:	School of Education, Language and Psychology
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/8054

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