Ideology in the Language of Judges: How Judges Practice Law, Politics, and Courtroom Control (Oxford Studies in Anthropological Linguistics)

A text that will appeal to any reader interested in the relation of language to the law, or vice versa, Ideological Diversity in Courtroom Discourse focuses on the guilty plea as both a distinct procedure and a dialogue constrained by boundaries. The book argues that, although judges uniformly see themselves as formally and impartially ensuring the constitutional right to due process, a considerable variety exists in the interactions between judges and defendants.

Susan Philips relates in much detail how this diversity stems from the judges' various interpretations of written law, from their personal attitudes toward control of the courtroom, and from their individual and politicized views regarding due process. She also shows how the ideological struggles in a given courtroom are central yet largely hidden or denied. Such findings will contribute significantly to the study of how speakers create realities through their use of language.