Reviews

“This fascinating book provides an original and sophisticated analysis of how the language, songs and performances in the Eurovision Song Contest construct discourses of Europeanisation, nationalism and sexuality. It is a relevant and timely contribution to our understanding of European identity.” (Paul Baker, Professor, Lancaster University, UK)

“Language, Normativity and Europeanisation shows how tensions between nationalist and transnational/European-wide identities shape verbal, visual and musical performances during the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). The book explains why many ESC contestants turn to English as their source for resolving these tensions. English is often associated with non-traditional sexualities and desires in ESC performances, strengthening the status of English as a marker of national transgression in those settings.  This is a study of “queer English” formation, though not necessarily a study of a queer English created by queers.” (William L. Leap, Emeritus Professor, American University, Washington DC, USA)

“Through rigorous data analysis, Heiko Motschenbacher succeeds in developing a critical approach to understanding the layers of complexity seen in the European identity formation processes.  His insightful findings make significant theoretical contributions in the field of discourse studies.  This timely publication is a must-read for those serious about linguistic issues concerning the intersection of language, culture, race, and hegemony in a rapidly changing world.” (Mie Hiramoto, Associate Professor, National University of Singapore, Singapore)

“The book provides a very thorough and comprehensive discourse analysis of various facets of Europeanisation. Focusing on the ESC as a pan-European event in popular media culture, it is a refreshing departure from predominantly political processes of Europeanisation, shedding light on discursive and linguistic practices of identity construction and negotiation of normativity.” (Antje Wilton, Junior Professor, University of Siegen, Germany)