Introducing Sociolinguistics

Providing a comprehensive overview of sociolinguistic methods and areas of investigation, this engaging and practical text covers every issue of major concern in the field. This major new text provides a solid, up-to-date appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of the field. It covers foundation issues, recent advances and current debates-presenting familiar or classic data in new ways, and supplementing the familiar with fresh examples from a wide range of languages and social settings. It clearly explains the patterns and systems that underlie language variation in use, as well as the ways in which alternations between different language varieties index personal style, social power and national identity.