Sociolinguistics: The Study of Speakers' Choices

Florian Coulmas

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511815522

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.

'In this state-of-the-art introduction to the field of sociolinguistics, Florian Coulmas' considerable breadth and depth of knowledge is not worn on his sleeve but organised into a pacey and accessible series of thirteen chapters. … I thoroughly commend Coulmas' volume as work of tremendous scholarship and synthesis … His reading is as up-to-date as one can hope for … and his analysis is intelligent, reasoned and humane.'

Source: Journal of Sociolinguistics

'For beginning students, it is an excellent start; for linguistics, it is a useful statement of what a sociolinguist has learned over a long and productive career.'

Source: Journal of Multilingual & Multicultural Development

'This textbook offers a detailed, yet varied, introduction to the theory of Sociolinguistics, working from a micro-perspective and building towards macro-approaches to the study of language variation and change.'

Erin Carrie Source: Journal of Language and Politics

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi
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Contents
pp vii-viii
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1 - Introduction: notions of language
pp 1-14
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Part I - Micro-choices
pp 15-16
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2 - Standard and dialect: social stratification as a factor of linguistic choice
pp 17-35
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3 - Gendered speech: sex as a factor of linguistic choice
pp 36-51
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4 - Communicating across generations: age as a factor of linguistic choice
pp 52-67
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5 - Choice and change
pp 68-83
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6 - Politeness: cultural dimensions of linguistic choice
pp 84-104
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Part II - Macro-choices
pp 105-106
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7 - Code-switching: linguistic choices across language boundaries
pp 107-125
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8 - Diglossia and bilingualism: functional restrictions on language choice
pp 126-145
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9 - Language spread, shift and maintenance: how groups choose their language
pp 146-170
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10 - Language and identity: individual, social, national
pp 171-183
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11 - Language planning: communication demands, public choice, utility
pp 184-203
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12 - Select letters: a major divide
pp 204-219
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13 - The language of choice
pp 220-232
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Glossary of terms
pp 233-235
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References
pp 236-253
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Internet resources
pp 254-254
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Index
pp 255-263
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Sociolinguistics

The Study of Speakers' Choices

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi

Contents
pp vii-viii

1 - Introduction: notions of language
pp 1-14

Part I - Micro-choices
pp 15-16

2 - Standard and dialect: social stratification as a factor of linguistic choice
pp 17-35

3 - Gendered speech: sex as a factor of linguistic choice
pp 36-51

4 - Communicating across generations: age as a factor of linguistic choice
pp 52-67

5 - Choice and change
pp 68-83

6 - Politeness: cultural dimensions of linguistic choice
pp 84-104

Part II - Macro-choices
pp 105-106

7 - Code-switching: linguistic choices across language boundaries
pp 107-125

8 - Diglossia and bilingualism: functional restrictions on language choice
pp 126-145

9 - Language spread, shift and maintenance: how groups choose their language
pp 146-170

10 - Language and identity: individual, social, national
pp 171-183

11 - Language planning: communication demands, public choice, utility
pp 184-203

12 - Select letters: a major divide
pp 204-219

13 - The language of choice
pp 220-232

Glossary of terms
pp 233-235

References
pp 236-253

Internet resources
pp 254-254

Index
pp 255-263

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Sociolinguistics

The Study of Speakers' Choices

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