Sociolinguistics : the study of speakers' choices / Florian Coulmas.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

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.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• 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