Introduction: Special issue on the discourses of poverty

Recent global statistics reveal a concerning increase in extreme poverty, exacerbated by social and political upheavals such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises. Despite poverty being a well-established research topic in various fields, linguistic analyses remain scant. This special issue on the discourses of poverty, of which this introduction is a part, explores the multifaceted nature of poverty through a discourse analytical lens, highlighting the complexity and diversity of how poverty is experienced across different contexts. The contributions within this issue demonstrate how discourse shapes public understanding, policy formulation, and societal attitudes towards poverty, ultimately advocating for a more inclusive approach that amplifies marginalised voices. By examining the language surrounding poverty and meaningfully engaging with individuals who have experienced it, this issue calls for more critical linguistic research to challenge well-established ideologies about poverty. It also aims to address the assumptions researchers make about what poverty is, what it feels like, who it affects, and how it can be eradicated, thereby hopefully contributing, albeit in a small way, to fostering social change.