Synopses & Reviews
This fully revised textbook is a new edition of Ronald Wardhaugh’s popular and accessible
An Introduction to Sociolinguistics.
- Provides an accessible, comprehensive introduction to sociolinguistics that reflects new developments in the field.
- Fully revised, with 130 new and updated references to bring the book completely up-to-date.
- Includes suggested readings, discussion sections, and exercises.
- Features increased emphasis on issues of identity, solidarity, and power
- Discusses topics such as language dialects, pidgins and creoles, codes, bilingualism, speech communities, variation, words and culture, ethnographies, solidarity and politeness, talk and action, gender, disadvantage, and planning.
- Designed for introductory and post-introductory students, and ideal for courses including introduction to sociolinguistics, aspects of sociolinguistics, and language and society.
Review
“As in earlier editions of this book, Wardhaugh aims here to cover the main topics for an introductory course while keeping pace with contemporary research… Wardhaugh maintains an informed, critical and thought-provoking discussion throughout the book [and] incorporates some 130 new references, accompanying discussions of quantitative methodology, English as a global language and even ‘queer linguistics’… The inclusion of more recent scholarship, combined with his own transparency, make this latest edition an engaging introduction to sociolinguistics.”
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural DevelopmentPraise for previous editions...
"The standard text in advanced undergraduate courses and introductory graduate courses." Language
"Among the various introductions to sociolinguistics, this one certainly stands out in its comprehensiveness... it offers a wealth of relevant and correct information." Sociolinguistica
Synopsis
In 1986 Ronald Wardhaugh provided the world of sociolinguistics with a popular and accessible textbook for introductory students. Keeping in step with this ever-changing field, the fifth edition has been thoroughly revised with 130 new and updated references and increased emphasis on issues of identity, solidarity, and power. Extensive discussion topics and recommendations for further reading accompany each chapter and featured topics include: language dialects, pidgins and creoles, speech communities, variation, words and culture, ethnographies, solidarity and politeness, talk and action, gender, disadvantage, and planning.
This classic in the field assumes little previous knowledge of linguistics, anthropology, or sociology and may be used at an introductory level or as a supplementary text in higher-level courses.
Synopsis
Ronald Wardhaugh is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Toronto. His recent work includes Proper English (Blackwell, 1998) and Understanding English Grammar (second edition, Blackwell, 2003).
Table of Contents
Preface.
Acknowledgements.
1. Introduction.
Part I: Languages and Communities:.
2. Languages, Dialects, and Varieties.
3. Pidgins and Creoles.
4. Codes.
5. Speech Communities.
Part II: Inherent Variety:.
6. Language Variation.
7. Some Findings and Issues.
8. Change.
Part III: Words at Work:.
9. Words and Culture.
10. Ethnographies.
11. Solidarity and Politeness.
12. Talk and Action.
Part IV: Understanding and Intervening:.
13. Gender.
14. Disadvantage.
15. Planning.
16. Conclusion.
Bibliography.
Index.