Sociolinguistics : the study of speakers' choices
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Sociolinguistics : the study of speakers' choices
Cambridge University Press, 2005
- : hbk
- : pbk
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 236-253) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
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.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction: notions of language
- Part I. Micro Choices: 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
- Part II. Macro Choices: 7. Code-switching: linguistic choices across 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.
by "Nielsen BookData"