Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics: An Introduction to Sociolinguistics (8th Edition)

- Blurb -

The new edition of the most complete and student-friendly introduction to the field of sociolinguistics, fully revised and updated An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, Eighth Edition, is a broad overview of the study of language in social context, providing accessible coverage of major concepts, theories, methods, issues, and debates within the field. This leading textbook helps students develop a critical perspective on language in society as they explore the complex connections between societal norms and language use. Organized in four sections, the text covers traditional language issues, broad approaches to research in sociolinguistics, and language in relation to gender and sexuality, education, and policy. The eighth edition contains new and updated discussion of topics including the societal aspects of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), multilingual societies and discourse, gender and sexuality, ideologies and language attitudes, and the social meanings of linguistic forms. Fully updated throughout, this important textbook: Provides perspectives on both new and foundational research in sociolinguistics Features examples from a variety of languages and cultures that illustrate topics such as social and regional dialects, multilingualism, and language in education Includes end-of-chapter written exercises, key topic lists, chapter summaries, and "Explorations" designed to promote classroom discussion Offers students further reading suggestions, research ideas, and an updated companion website containing a searchable glossary, a review guide, additional exercises and examples, and links to online resources Includes a guide to the all explorations and exercises in the textbook, discussion topics, and other teaching resources via an instructor' s website Encouraging students to approach sociolinguistics both empirically and as a way of viewing the world around them, An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, Eighth Edition, remains the ideal textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in sociolinguistics, language and society, anthropological linguistics, applied and theoretical linguistics, and education.