Language and Creativity

Do we just use language? Or do we create it? Who says only a genius can be creative? What do our everyday conversations tell us about ourselves? Creativity in language has conventionally been regarded as the preserve of institutionalised discourses such as literature and advertising, and individual gifted minds. Language and Creativity explores the idea that creativity, far from being simply a property of exceptional people, is an exceptional property of all people. Drawing on a range of real examples of everyday conversations and speech, from flatmates in a student house and families on holiday to psychotherapy sessions and chat-lines, the book argues that creativity is an all-pervasive feature of everyday language. Using close analysis of naturally occurring language, taken from a 5 million word corpus held at the University of Nottingham, Language and Creativity reveals that speakers commonly make meanings in a variety of creative ways, in a wide range of social contexts and for a diverse set of reasons. In this groundbreaking book, Ronald Carter builds on the previous theories of creativity, and offers a radical contribution to linguistic, literary and cultural theory. A must for anyone interested in the creativity of our everyday speech. A substantial new introduction will bring the book up to date with developments in the field, covering: creativity in e-language and internet discourse; the role of creativity studies in the developing field of creative writing in university English departments worldwide; discourse and creativity in the fields of professional and business communication; the development of voice in creative communication; creativity in media communication; creativity across both literary and non-literary discourses; creativity and English language teaching; creativity and world Englishes.