Glossary of Sociolinguistics

This pocket-sized alphabetic guide introduces popular terms used in the study of language and society. A central topic within modern linguistics, sociolinguistics deals with human communication and the use of language in its social context. Clearly written by a leading authority in the field, this glossary provides full coverage of both traditional and contemporary terminology, including the relatively new areas within sociolinguistics of sign language, gay language and cross-cultural communication. Key features: * An ideal companion to courses in sociolinguistics, language variation and change, dialectology, English language and language and gender * Contains illustrations, dialect maps and a bibliography * Provides linguistic examples of the terms defined * Supplies numerous cross-references to related terms.

Peter Trudgill's slim volume, A Glosssary of Sociolinguistics, contains a wealth of information for readers seeking definitions, explanations and examples of the technical terms most frequently employed in sociolinguistics and dialectology. The publication of A Glossary of Sociolinguistics is a landmark event. It signifies the dramatic growth of sociolinguistics over the past several decades and the level of interest it now attracts. Peter Trudgill has been through it all - as a pioneer, a developer and an internationally renowned authority. No one is in a better position to write a glossary of the field, and no one can match Trudgill's lucid, readable style. -- Professor Walt Wolfram, North Carolina State University Peter Trudgill's slim volume, A Glosssary of Sociolinguistics, contains a wealth of information for readers seeking definitions, explanations and examples of the technical terms most frequently employed in sociolinguistics and dialectology. The publication of A Glossary of Sociolinguistics is a landmark event. It signifies the dramatic growth of sociolinguistics over the past several decades and the level of interest it now attracts. Peter Trudgill has been through it all - as a pioneer, a developer and an internationally renowned authority. No one is in a better position to write a glossary of the field, and no one can match Trudgill's lucid, readable style.

Peter Trudgill is Honorary Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of East Anglia, Emeritus Professor of English Linguistics at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and Professor of English Linguistics at Agder University College, Norway.