Books in the Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy of Language series

Context and Communication provides an introduction to a central theme in the study of language: the idea that what we say (or ask, or think) depends on the context of speech and thought. It explores key data, questions, concepts, and theories of context sensitivity, and is written to be accessible to those with no prior knowledge of the subject.

Bad Language is the first textbook on an emerging area in the study of language: non-idealized language use, the linguistic behaviour of people who exploit language for malign purposes. This lively, accessible introduction offers theoretical frameworks for thinking about such topics as lies and bullshit, slurs and insults, coercion and silencing.

Reference is a central topic in the philosophy of language, linguistic semantics, and related areas of philosophy and linguistics. This textbook offers an up-to-date introduction to key debates about reference. While comprehensive in approach, it is written for students and does not assume any prior training in philosophy of language.