The Handbook of Sociolinguistics

by Coulmas, Florian

• ISBN13: 9780631211938
• ISBN10: 0631211934
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-09-16
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

In 28 newly-commissioned chapters, distinguished contributors provide an up-to-date overview of sociolinguistics. This invaluable work of reference, now available in paperback, identifies the most important issues of sociolinguistics, makes primary sources more accessible, and provides orientation for future research. Reflecting the main division within the discipline, the two key sections deal with the social dimensions of language and the linguistic dimensions of society. In addition, there is an introductory section taking issue with the theoretical and methodological foundations of sociolinguistic knowledge which have proved to be especially fruitful in recent years: education, bilingual education, the legal profession and language planning. The Handbook is equipped with a comprehensive bibliography which can be used as a research tool in its own right.

Author Biography

Florian Coulmas is Professor of Sociolinguistics at Chuo University, Tokyo. He was previously Professor of General Linguistics at Dusseldorf University and Research Fellow of the National Language Institute, Tokyo. He has been visiting Professor at Georgetown University and Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Study, Berlin. His principle fields of interest are the study of writing and sociolinguistics.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Foundations

The Evolution of a Sociolinguistic Theory of Language

The Demography of Language

Social Dimensions of Language:

Varieties and Variation

Language Change in Progress: Variation as it Happens

Social Factors in Language Change

Sociophonology

Dialect in Society

Gender as a Sociolinguistics Variable: New Perspectives on Variation Studies

Age as a Sociolinguistic Variable

Spoken and Written Language

The Sociolinguistics of Communication Media

Diglossia as a Sociolinguistic Situation

Code Switching

Language Contact and Language Generation

Language Contact and Language Degeneration

Linguistic Dimensions of Society

Language Contact and Language Displacement

Language Conflict

Multi-Lingualism

Language and Identity

Language and Ethnicity

Global Scale Sociolinguistics

Language and the Mediation of Experience: Linguistics Representation and Cognitive Orientation

Linguistics Etiquette

Applied Issues

Sociolinguistics and Education

Bilingual Education

Sociolinguistics and the Law

Language Planning and Language Reform

Bibliography

Index

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