Sociolinguistics: the study of speakers' choices

Cover -- Contents -- Figures -- Tables -- Preface to the second edition -- 1 Introduction: notions of language -- Outline of the chapter -- Natural language and social language -- Language, the inborn -- Language, the historical -- Migration and diversity -- Desires and norms -- Complementary approaches -- Choice -- Cooperation and choice -- Conclusion -- Questions for discussion -- Notes -- Part I Micro-choices -- 2 Standard and dialect: social stratification as a factor of linguistic choice -- Outline of the chapter -- A samurai speaks his mind -- A Western science -- Dialect variation -- Social stratification -- A simplest model and its limitations -- Accommodation -- Conclusion -- Questions for discussion -- Notes -- Useful online resources -- Further reading -- 3 Gendered speech: sex as a factor of linguistic choice -- Outline of the chapter -- (In)equality, difference, domination -- Difference -- Dominance -- Gender and phonetic variation -- Social networks -- Gender across cultures -- Linguistic ideology -- Language reform -- Conclusion -- Questions for discussion -- Notes -- Useful online resources -- Further reading -- 4 Communicating across generations: age as a factor of linguistic choice -- Outline of the chapter -- Time depth -- Age cohorts -- Infancy -- Adolescence -- Adulthood -- Old age -- Elderly speakers and declining languages -- Beliefs and attitudes -- Conclusion -- Questions for discussion -- Notes -- Useful online resources -- Further reading -- 5 Choice and change -- Outline of the chapter -- As time goes by -- Apparent time and real time -- Standardization -- Who drives change? -- Conclusion -- Questions for discussion -- Notes -- Useful online resources -- Further reading -- 6 Politeness: cultural dimensions of linguistic choice -- Outline of the chapter -- Basic concepts -- Common sense and theory.

Why do we speak the way we do? What are the social factors that influence our choices of expression? This best-selling introduction to the study of language and society encourages students to think about these fundamental questions, asking how and why we select from the vast range of different words, accents, varieties and languages available to us. In this new and updated edition, students are taken step-by-step through the analysis of linguistic expressions, speech varieties and languages in complex settings. Enriched with recent findings from different languages and speech communities around the world, this comprehensive textbook equips students with knowledge of the main concepts and gives them a coherent view of the complex interaction of language and society. • 'Questions for Discussion' help students understand how speakers' choices are conditioned by the society in which they live • New to this edition is a rich repertoire of online resources and further reading, enabling students to investigate more deeply and advance their learning • Includes a topical new chapter on research ethics, guiding students on the ethical questions involved in sociolinguistic research

This accessible 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