Mmmm.... like porn, only for sociolinguists.
Book Notice: Sociolinguistics: The Study of Speakers' Choices
Book URL: http://us.cambridge.org/titles/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521836067
Author: Florian Coulmas
Abstract:
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.
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
Yum.
Book URL: http://us.cambridge.org/titles/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521836067
Author: Florian Coulmas
Abstract:
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.
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
Yum.