Explorations in the Sociology of Language and Religion: (20 Discourse Approaches to Politics, Society and Culture)

The Sociology of Language and Religion (SLR) is still in its infancy as a sub-discipline in the macrosociolinguistic tradition. It is therefore no coincidence that the editorial collaboration to produce its first definitive text Explorations in the Sociology of Language and Religion has involved Joshua A. Fishman, often cited in the literature as one of the founders of the Sociology of Language. Tope Omoniyi brings to the collaboration an insightful and incisive critical eye for engaging with diversity in the treatment of language and religion. Together as editors they have successfully midwived the birth of SLR. The studies and debates contained in this volume revisit those themes that both of the contributory disciplines of Sociology of Language and Religion have common interest in. The contributing authors explore new methodologies and paradigms of analysis that they deem appropriate for this interesting and complex interface in an attempt to demonstrate how the shared interests of these disciplines impact social practices in various communities around the world. The ultimate objective of the discussions is to fashion tools for creating a body of new knowledge that supports the emergence of a better society. Towards this end, the authors have harnessed resources from varied geographical, cultural, linguistic and religious constituencies without compromising analytical depth. In the process, they have opened up new areas of sociolinguistic inquiry. The volume is thus presented as a highly useful reference resource both for undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship.

Table of Contents:
1. 1. Introduction (by Omoniyi, Tope); 2. PART 1: Effects of religion on language; 3. 2. A decalogue of basic theoretical perspectives for a sociology of language and religion (by Fishman, Joshua A.); 4. 3. Language and world order in Baha'i perspective: A new paradigm revealed (by Meyjes, Gregory Paul P.); 5. 4. Religion and traditional beliefs in West African English: A linguistic analysis (by Wolf, Hans-Georg); 6. 5. Eastern-Christian tradition and the Georgian language (by Bolkvadze, Tinatin); 7. 6. Alcoholism and authority: The secularization of religious vernaculars (by McCarron, Kevin); 8. 7. The role of religion in the language choice and identity among Lithuanian immigrants in Scotland (by Dzialtuvaite, Jurgita); 9. 8. Religion, social history, and language maintenance: African languages in post-apartheid South Africa (by Kamwangamalu, Nkonko M.); 10. 9. Creating God in our own image: The attributes of God in the Yoruba socio-cultural environment (by Salami, L.Oladipo); 11. PART 2: The mutuality of language and religion; 12. 10. Societal multilingualism and multifaithism: A sociology of language and religion perspective (by Omoniyi, Tope); 13. 11. Ideology, authority, and language choice: Language of religion in South Asia (by Pandharipande, Rajeshwari V.); 14. 12. The shifting role of languages in Lebanese Christian and Muslim identities (by Joseph, John E.); 15. 13. Language and religion in Bethlehem: A socio-historical linguistic perspective (by Amara, Muhammad Hasan); 16. 14. The role of language in some ethnic churches in Melbourne (by Woods, Anya); 17. 15. Language use and religious practice: The case of Singapore (by Chew, Phyllis Ghim Lian); 18. PART 3 : Effects of language on religion; 19. 16. 'Etymythological othering' and the power of 'lexical engineering' in Judaism, Islam and Christianity: A socio-philo(sopho)logical perspective (by Zuckermann, Ghil'ad); 20. 17. Language, culture, science and the sacred: Issues and concerns in curriculum development for indigenous Americans (by Carrasco, Roberto Luis); 21. 18. Prayers as an integrative factor in Jewish religious discourse communities (by Chruszczewski, Piotr P.); 22. 19. Maligned and misunderstood: Marginal movements and UK law (by Mooney, Annabelle); 23. PART 4: Language and religion on literacy; 24. 20. The role of liturgical literacy in UK Muslim communities (by Rosowsky, Andrey); 25. 21. The Shamanic book: Diversity, language and writing in an indigenous community in Brazil (by Menezes de Souza, Lynn Mario T.); 26. 22. Epilogue (by Omoniyi, Tope); 27. Index

Review :
This volume provides a panoramic survey of the relationship and interaction of religion and language. Omoniyi and Fishman have assembled a strong group of contributors who deliver subtle and insightful case studies. Leading scholars set forth compelling accounts of religion and language, covering a wide range of faiths and contexts, with not just the 'obvious suspects' – Islam and Christianity – but also including Native American, Bah'ai, Hinduism and Orisa worship. It is indispensable reading for understanding the debate about how religion affects language and vice versa. What is interesting about the way in which the field of sociology of language and religion has been conceptualized in this volume is that it is both innovative and old. It is the interface of both language and religion that provides the innovation. And in looking at both phenomena jointly, the editors and contributors draw on past scholarship connected to the Sociology of Language. Thus, the perspective is new, simultaneous, juxtaposing language and religion in dynamic, rather than categorical ways, but the theoretical framework is one that we're familiar with. The dynamism created by the juxtaposition is what makes the theory shift, expand, grow, while providing it with an intellectual anchor that enables the excellent contributions that we read.