S5E10: Dr. Hazel Price

Dr. Hazel Price explains the use of corpus linguistics and critical discourse analysis in studying language. She provides insights into how these methods can reveal subtle patterns in language use, such as the negative connotations of certain words and how language can encode stigma, especially in media representations of mental illness.

In her book, “The Language of Mental Illness: Corpus Linguistics and the Construction of Mental Illness in the Press,” published in 2022, Dr. Price examined how UK news reports have shaped public perceptions of mental health over 30 years using a corpus of 45 million words. She aimed to bridge the gap between linguistic research and practical guidelines for language use in mental health contexts. In her book, she used methods from corpus linguistics and critical discourse analysis to analyze public perceptions and stigma related to mental illness. She discusses the importance of accurate language in media and its impact on public understanding and stigma. Dr. Price emphasizes that all health experiences are mediated through language, from recognizing symptoms to communicating with healthcare providers. She discusses the role of language in perpetuating stigma and the importance of linguistic research in health communication.