| Description |
263 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
| Contents |
1. Introduction : notions of language -- 2. Standard and dialect : social stratification as a factor of linguistic choice -- 3. Gendered speech : sex as a factor of linguistic choice -- 4. Communicating across generations : age as a factor of linguistic choice -- 5. Choice and change -- 6. Politeness : cultural dimensions of linguistic choice -- 7. Code-switching : linguistic choices across language boundaries -- 8. Diglossia and bilingualism : functional restrictions on language choice -- 9. Language spread, shift and maintenance : how groups choose their language -- 10. Language and identity : individual, social, national -- 11. Language planning : communication demands, public choice, utility -- 12. Select letters : a major divide -- 13. The language of choice |
| Summary |
"This new textbook provides a clear introduction to sociolinguistics, the study of why we speak the way we do, and the social factors that influence our linguistic decisions. Based on the notion of 'choice' - that as speakers we select from the options open to us - it provides a solid theoretical framework to deal with the most fascinating characteristic of language: its variability and diversity. Topics covered include dialects, gender- and age-specific speech forms, professional jargons, diglossia, bilingualism, code-switching, pidgin languages and language planning, all of which are unified by the common theme that speakers, by making choices, create their language. Drawing on linguistic variation from a wide range of societies and their languages, this is set to become a key text for all students of sociolinguistics, and will be welcomed by anyone interested in the complex interaction between language and society."--BOOK JACKET |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Subject |
Sociolinguistics.
|
| LC no. |
2004054220 |
| ISBN |
9780521543934 paperback |
|
0521836069 hb alkaline paper |
|
0521543932 pb alkaline paper |
|
9780521836067 cased |
|
9780521543934 paperback |
|
9780521836067 cased |
|
