This work explores everyday social practices, and how they influence who people are, what they become, the quality of their lives, the opportunities and possibilities open to them, and those they are denied. There is an emphasis on language and literacy components of social practices. The following questions are asked: How are language and literacy framed within different social practices?; How are social practices in turn shaped and framed by language and literacy?; what are the consequences for the lives and identities of individuals and groups?; How can we understand these relationships, and build on this understanding to develop critical forms of literacy and language awareness that enhance human dignity, freedom and social justice?