When theorizing about language, we tend to assume that speakers are cooperative, honest, helpful, and so on. This, of course, isn't remotely true of a lot of real-world language use. Bad Language is the first textbook to explore non-idealized language use, the linguistic behaviour of those who exploit language for malign purposes. Two eminent philosophers of language present a lively and accessible introduction to a wide range of topics including lies and bullshit, slurs and insults, coercion and silencing: Cappelen and Dever offer theoretical frameworks for thinking about these all too common linguistic behaviours. As the text does not assume prior training in philosophy or linguistics, it is ideal for use as part of a philosophy of language course for philosophy students or for linguistics students.

Bad Language belongs to the series Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy of Language, in which each book introduces an important area of the philosophy of language, suitable for students at any level.

Herman Cappelen is a professor of philosophy at the University of Oslo and at the University of St Andrews. He is a Co-Director at CSMN (in Oslo), and the Editor-in-Chief of Inquiry. He has written, co-authored, or edited more than ten books and many articles. He works in all areas of systematic philosophy.

Josh Dever is a professor of philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin and a professorial fellow at the Arche research centre at the University of St Andrews. He has co-written three books and many articles on the philosophy of language.