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Homegirls

Language and Cultural Practice Among Latina Youth Gangs
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( 309 ratings, 17 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Homegirls explores the intricate lives of young Latina gang members in California, focusing on the NorteΓ±a and SureΓ±a youth gang dynamic. Anthropologist and linguist Norma Mendoza-Denton provides an engrossing ethnographic and sociolinguistic study that reveals how language, bodily practices, and symbolic exchanges express gang affiliation and shape identities related to nationalism, ethnicity, and gender. Moving beyond common topics of violence, the book highlights cultural and linguistic aspects, such as tattoos, make-up, and clothing, illustrating how these elements signal social belonging and distinctive youth gang styles.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$18600

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in cultural anthropology, sociolinguistics, gender studies, and contemporary youth cultures. It suits academics and students studying language, ethnography, and social identity, as well as those seeking a nuanced understanding of Latina gang members beyond stereotypes.

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In this ground-breaking new book on the Nortena and Surena (North/South) youth gang dynamic, cultural anthropologist and linguist Norma Mendoza-Denton looks at the daily lives of young Latinas and their innovative use of speech, bodily practices, and symbolic exchanges that signal their gang affiliations and ideologies.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In this ground-breaking new book on the Nortena and Surena (North/South) youth gang dynamic, cultural anthropologist and linguist Norma Mendoza-Denton looks at the daily lives of young Latinas and their innovative use of speech, bodily practices, and symbolic exchanges that signal their gang affiliations and ideologies.

Her engrossing ethnographic and sociolinguistic study reveals the connection of language behaviour and other symbolic practices among Latina gang girls in California, and their connections to larger social processes of nationalism, racial/ethnic consciousness, and gender identity.

Homegirls offers an engrossing account of the Norte and Sur girl gangs - the largest Latino gangs in California. It traces how elements of speech, bodily practices, and symbolic exchanges are used to signal social affiliation and come together to form youth gang styles.

The book explores the relationship between language and the body: one of the most striking aspects of the tattoos, make-up, and clothing of the gang members. Unlike other studies, which focus on violence, fighting, and drugs, Mendoza-Denton delves into the commonly-overlooked cultural and linguistic aspects of youth gangs.

Series: New Directions in Ethnography

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  • Homegirls
    In this ground-breaking new book on the Nortena and Surena (North/South) youth gang dynamic, cultural anthropologist and linguist Norma Mendoza-Denton looks at the daily lives of young Latinas and their innovative use of speech, bodily practices, and symbolic exchanges that signal their gang affiliations and ideologies. Her engrossing ethnographic and sociolinguistic study reveals the connection of language behaviour and other...
    Paperback
    $18600
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised for its depth and empathy, Homegirls challenges traditional criminological views on female gang members. Reviews commend its scientific rigour and unique focus on language and culture within gangs. American Studies Journal calls it "well worth picking up for an enlightening glimpse of a population that has been ascribed infamy without being known much at all." The American Journal of Sociology highlights the author's reflexive approach and detailed examination of identity formation. Don Kulick from New York University describes it as "delightful," blending narrative, ethnography, and sociolinguistic insight with wit and intelligence.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780631234906

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 11 December 2007

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Wiley-Blackwell

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 154.0mm

Height: 230.0mm

Weight: 458g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Norma Mendoza-Denton is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Arizona, and the founder and director of the Linguistic Anthropology Research and Teaching Laboratory.

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