Contents -- Preface -- Introduction -- Linguistic reflections as an integral part of Gramsci's legacy -- Modern linguistics and the philosophy of praxis -- Towards a better understanding of Gramsci's views -- 1. The limited number of writings usually considered -- 2. The risks involved in neglecting Gramsci's biography -- 3. Identifying sources and cultural links: a productive trend in recent research -- 4. Linguistic themes and the debates on Gramsci's Leninism -- Diversity and unification: a few considerations in conclusion -- Chapter One Experiencing Linguistic Diversity and Cultural Unification -- 1.1. Sardinian in Gramsci's life -- 1.2. Gramsci's correspondence -- 1.3. The Sardinian years -- 1.4. Turin -- 1.5. The Sassari Brigade in Turin, April-July 1919 -- 1.5.1. The arrival of the Brigade -- 1.5.2. The editorial board of L'Ordine Nuovo -- 1.5.3. The successful campaign among Sardinian soldiers -- 1.6. From Turin to the prison years -- 1.7. Gramsci's views on national linguistic unification -- 1.7.1. 'Every individual . . . is a philosopher' -- 1.7.2. The shortcomings of monolingualism -- 1.7.3. Final remarks -- Chapter Two Influences and Differences: The Formation of Gramsci's Views -- 2.1. Gramsci's direct and indirect sources in language studies -- 2.2. Echoes of Saussure's ideas -- 2.2.1. Grammar -- 2.2.2. Metaphors -- 2.2.3. Language planning -- 2.2.4. The penetration of Saussurean concepts into Italian intellectual culture -- 2.2.5. A possible channel of transmission: the Cours in Russia, 1917-25 -- 2.2.6. Final remarks -- 2.3. Language and social classes -- 2.3.1. Sociological linguistics and the Marxist critique of language -- 2.3.2. Bukharin -- 2.3.3. Sociolinguistic variation and the national question in the USSR -- 2.3.4. Grammar and language education for the popular masses -- 2.3.5. Final remarks.

2.4. Glottopolitical aspects of Lenin's influence -- 2.4.1. Early Marxist approaches to language policies: Marx and Engels -- 2.4.2. The Second International -- 2.4.3. Lenin -- 2.4.4. Did Gramsci know Lenin's ideas on language? -- 2.4.5. Affinities -- 2.4.6. Jewish autonomy: a case of partial divergence -- 2.4.7. Final remarks -- 2.5. Rationalising and unifying linguistic communication -- 2.5.1. Soviet Esperantism -- 2.5.2. Proletarian culture -- 2.5.3. Sources and periodisation -- 2.5.4. Continuity and consistency of Gramsci's glottopolitical views -- 2.5.5. Final remarks: Soviet inputs and the development of Gramsci's views -- Chapter Three Political Implications -- 3.1. Gramsci and the linguistics of his time -- 3.2. Language and politics in Gramsci's writings -- 3.3. The role of linguistic themes in shaping Gramsci's politics -- 3.3.1. Necessary conditions -- 3.3.2. Centres of irradiation -- 3.3.3. The Jacobins -- 3.3.4. Language and hegemony -- 3.4. Gramsci's specificity -- 3.4.1. A man 'in flesh and blood' -- 3.4.2. Gramsci's Marxism -- 3.4.3. Final remarks -- Conclusions: Gramscian Links between Language and Politics -- Gramsci in linguistics . . . -- . . . and linguistics in Gramsci -- Appendix Gramsci's Legacy, 1937-2007 -- 4.1. The reception of Gramsci's writings: the letters -- 4.2. Lost, unpublished and recently published material -- 4.2.1. Matteo Bartoli's glottology course of 1912-13 -- 4.2.2. Gramsci's translation of Finck's work -- 4.2.3. Gramsci's comments on Panzini's Italian grammar -- 4.2.4. Early work on Manzoni -- 4.3. Pre-prison writings and prison notes -- 4.4. Gramsci's writings on language -- 4.5. Gramsci and linguistic disciplines -- 4.5.1. Early research -- 4.5.2. Exploring Gramsci's ideas on language -- 4.5.3. Using Gramsci's ideas on language -- 4.5.4. Gramsci's influence and its limits: some examples.

4.5.5. Final remarks -- References -- Index of Names -- Index of Subjects.