An Introduction to Sociolinguistics

Sociolinguistics is the study of the interaction between language and society. In this classic introductory work, Janet Holmes and Nick Wilson examine the role of language in a variety of social contexts, considering both how language works and how it can be used to signal and interpret various aspects of social identity. Divided into three parts, this book explains basic sociolinguistic concepts in the light of classic approaches, as well as introducing more recent research. This sixth edition has been revised and updated throughout, using key concepts and examples to guide the reader through this fascinating area, including: • New material on gender, social media and online use of language, codeswitching, and language policy • An updated companion website that is fully cross- referenced within this book and features video and audio materials and links to useful websites • Revised examples and exercises that include new material from Asia and South America • Fully updated further reading and references sections An Introduction to Sociolinguistics is an essential introductory text for all students of sociolinguistics and a splendid point of reference for students of English language studies, linguistics, and applied linguistics.

List of Figures List of Images List of Maps List of Tables Preface to Sixth edition Preface to Fifth Edition Preface to Fourth Edition Preface to Third Edition Preface to Second Edition Preface to First Edition Author’s Acknowledgements Publisher’s Acknowledgements The Online Companion 1. What do sociolinguists study? Section I: Multilingual Speech Communities 2. Language choice in multilingual communities 3. Language maintenance and shift 4. Linguistic varieties and multilingual nations 5. National languages, language policy, and language planning Section II: Language Variation: Focus on Users 6. Regional and social dialects 7. Gender and age 8. Ethnicity and social networks 9. Language change Interlude: Identity in Sociolinguistics Section III: 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: phonetic symbols Glossary Index

Janet Holmes is Emeritus Professor of Linguistics and Associate Director of the Language in the Workplace Project at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. She has published extensively in sociolinguistics, specialising in workplace discourse and language and gender. Her many books include Research Methods in Sociolinguistics: A Practical Guide, co-edited with Kirk Hazen. Nick Wilson is a Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at the University of Limerick, Ireland,and an honorary Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at Macquarie University, Australia. His published research focuses on how language is used in sports teams and his current research is on how people use swearing and taboo language in interaction.