Sociolinguistics by Janet Holmes

What is sociolinguistics? This introductory textbook provides a penetrating answer to this question, explaining basic sociolinguistic concepts through a wide range of examples, and by drawing on 'classic' approaches to the subject as well as from the most recent research. The book is conveniently divided into three sections: * Section one shows how language is used in multilingual speech communities and explains the varying patterns of language use. Janet Holmes examines how and why languages change within society and highlights the factors that lead to the displacement of one language by another and sometimes the death of a language. * Section two explores social reasons for language change, looking at language change in monolingual communities and the features of a variety of dialects. The author shows how and why differing racial and social groups develop and maintain speech variations. * The final section assesses how attitudes to language affect speech and shows that linguistic responses depend on a variety of contextual factors - for example, the status of the person being addressed and our reasons for speaking. This new edition has been updated thoroughly throughout, and adds new sections on social constructionist approaches to language and gender, and the concept of community of practice. There is also a completely new chapter on language, cognition and culture, which introduces students to the ideas of Benjamin Lee Whorf, as well as to the wider implications of the important concept of linguistic relativity. Containing a series of student exercises and suggestions for further reading, An Introduction to Sociolinguistics is an essential introductory text for students of sociolinguistics and anyone interested in the study of language.

* Section one shows how language is used in multilingual speech communities and explains the varying patterns of language use. Janet Holmes examines how and why languages change within society and highlights the factors that lead to the displacement of one language by another and sometimes the death of a language.

This new edition has been updated thoroughly throughout, and adds new sections on social constructionist approaches to language and gender, and the concept of community of practice. There is also a completely new chapter on language, cognition and culture, which introduces students to the ideas of Benjamin Lee Whorf, as well as to the wider implications of the important concept of linguistic relativity.

Containing a series of student exercises and suggestions for further reading, An Introduction to Sociolinguistics is an essential introductory text for students of sociolinguistics and anyone interested in the study of language.

Brief Contents
 Preface xv 
Author's acknowledgements xvi 
Publisher's acknowledgements xvii 
1 What do sociolinguists study?
 1 Section A Multilingual speech communities 17 
2 Language choice in multilingual communities 19 
3 Language maintenance and shift 52 
4 Linguistic varieties and multilingual nations 74 
5 National languages and language planning 98 
Section B Language variation: focus on users 125 
6 Regional and social dialects 127 
7 Gender and age 157 
8 Ethnicity and social networks 184 
9 Language change 204 
Section C Language variation: focus on uses 233 
10 Style, context and register 235 
11 Speech functions, politeness and cross-cultural communication 270 
12 Gender, politeness and stereotypes 296 
13 Language, cognition and culture 330 
14 Analysing discourse 356 
15 Attitudes and applications 406 
16 Conclusion 432 
References  448 
Appendix I Phonetic symbols 469
Appendix II Preface to Þrst edition 471 
Appendix III Preface to second edition 472 
Glossary  473 Index  475