Environmental sustainability communication and evolutions in formulaic language

Authors

  • Antoinette Fage Butler Aarhus University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/hjlcb.vi66.160807

Keywords:

environmental sustainability, language change, formulaic language, discourse, culture, methods

Abstract

This paper underlines the value of phraseology as a perspective on the current crisis of environmental sustainability. While existing narratives, frames and discourses used to communicate about sustainability have often been critically examined, there is increasing awareness of the need to identify new narratives, frames and discourses that may reset the ways in which sustainability is conceived. The same is true of the phrases used to communicate about sustainability, where societal understandings of sustainability are reflected in and maintained by phrases, while new phrases may indicate new cultural directions. The paper will elaborate on these points, drawing on existing research on the language of sustainability before outlining directions for future research in phraseology and cultural change.

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Published

2026-09-24

How to Cite

Fage Butler, A. (2026). Environmental sustainability communication and evolutions in formulaic language. HERMES - Journal of Language and Communication in Business, (66), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.7146/hjlcb.vi66.160807

Issue

Section

Thematic Section 2026 I: Phraseology and communication – Formulaic language in communication / Phraseologie und Kommunikation - Formelhafte Sprache in der Kommunikation