Peter Trudgill , Dialect matters: Respecting vernacular language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016. Pp. 246. Hb. £44.99.

Abstract

Part 3 is an analytical part discussing the use of linguistic humour as a powerful strategy for creative social positioning. He clarifies that in view of its dynamic, cognitive, and social interactional characteristics, linguistic humour touches off creative and situated conceptualizations that depart from the norm, thus influencing the social balance in communication. He then illustrates his sociocognitive model of creative social positioning with examples selected from the two data sets that show that linguistic humour provides a powerful tool for participants in negotiating their social roles and positions. Given its rich content and insightful ideas, this book is valuable for students and researchers in the areas of cognitive linguistics, sociolinguistics, business communication, computer-mediated communication, and verbal humour.