An Introduction to Sociolinguistics

Description

First published in 1992, Janet Holmes' An Introduction to Sociolinguistics has established itself as the key introductory textbook in the field.

It is divided into three sections. In the first, Janet Holmes shows how language is used in multilingual speech communities and explains the varying patterns of language use. She examines how and why languages change within society and highlights the factors that lead to the displacement of one language by another, and sometimes even the death of a language.

The central section gives a comprehensive and well-illustrated exploration of social reasons for language change, exploring language change in monolingual communities and the features of a variety of dialects. She shows how and why differing social and racial groups develop and maintain speech variations.

In the final section, Janet Holmes assesses how attitudes to language affect speech, and shows that linguistic responses depend upon a variety of contextual factors.

Written in an accessible way, this essential introductory text is and illustrated throughout with numerous examples.

Contents

Preface

Author’s Acknowledgements  

Publisher’s Acknowledgements  

1.  What do sociolinguists study?  

Section A: Multilingual speech communities

2.  Language choice in multilingual communities  

3.  Language maintenance and shift  

4.  Linguistic varieties and multilingual nations  

5.  National languages and language planning  

Section B: Language variation: focus on users

6.  Regional and social dialects  

7.  Gender and age  

8.  Ethnicity and social networks  

9.  Language change  

Section C: Language variation: focus on uses

10.  Style, context and register  

11.  Speech functions, politeness and cross-cultural communication

12.  Gender, politeness and stereotypes  

13. Language, cognition and culture  

14.  Analysing Discourse

15.  Attitudes and applications  

16.  Conclusion  

References  

Appendix I: phonetic symbols  

Appendix II: preface to first edition

Appendix III: preface to second edition

Glossary  

Index  

Features

• The number one bestselling introduction to sociolinguistics
• Extended coverage including approaches to discourse analysis, more coverage of globalisation and new technology.
• Updated examples and references.
• Expanded and improved glossary and improved referencing.

Author

Janet Holmes holds a personal Chair in Linguistics at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, where she teaches a variety of sociolinguistics courses.