Sociolinguistic Theory
Language in Society
3. Edition November 2008
332 Pages, Softcover
Textbook
Short Description
This revised edition of Sociolinguistic Theory brings together the most important descriptive and theoretical findings on linguistic variation and change. Incorporating the latest developments in the field along with updated references, it provides a critical synthesis of language variation, demonstrating how empirical explorations have made it among the most exciting fields in the contemporary study of language. This edition also includes an expanded introduction to social evaluation in terms of attitudes. Written by one of the world's foremost scholars in the field, this text offers an ideal synthesis of variation theory.
This revised edition of Sociolinguistic Theory brings together the most important descriptive and theoretical findings on linguistic variation and change. Incorporating the latest developments in the field along with updated references, it provides a critical synthesis of language variation, demonstrating how empirical explorations have made it among the most exciting fields in the contemporary study of language. Coverage includes discussion of the linguistic variable and its significance, crucial social variables such as social stratification, sex, and age, and the cultural significance of linguistic variation. This edition also now includes an expanded introduction to social evaluation in terms of attitudes. Written by one of the world's foremost scholars in the field of variation studies, Sociolinguistic Theory offers an ideal synthesis of variation theory.
List of Tables.
Series Editor's Preface.
Preface.
Preface to the Second Edition.
Preface to the Revised Edition.
Acknowledgements.
Part I: Correlations.
1.The Domain of Sociolinguistics.
2. The Variable as a Structural Unit.
3. Variation and the Tradition of Categoricity.
Part II: Class, Network and Mobility.
4. Social Class and Sociolinguistic Sampling.
5. Indexing Social Class.
6. Class Markers.
7. The Effects of Mobility.
8. Homogenization.
9. Networks.
10. Linguistic Correlates of Network Integration.
11. Interaction of Network and Other Independent Variables.
12. Oddballs and Insiders.
Part III: Expressing Sex and Gender.
13. The Interplay of Biology and Sociology.
14. Sex Patterns with Stable Variables.
15. Language, Gender and Mobility in Two Communities.
16. Sex and Gender Differences in Language.
17. Male and Female Speech Patterns in Other Societies.
18. Linguistic Evidence for Sex and Gender Differences.
Part IV: Accents in Time.
19. Aging.
20. The Acquisition of Sociolects.
21. Family and Friends.
22. Declaration of Adolescence.
23. Young Adults in the Talk Market.
24. Changes in Progress.
Part V: Adaptive Significance of Language Variation.
25. The Babelian Hypothesis.
26. Global Counteradaptivity and Local Adaptivity.
27. Dialects in Lower Animals.
28. The Persistence of the Non-Standard.
29. Traditional Theories of the Sources of Diversity.
30. A Sociolinguistic Theory of the Sources of Diversity.
31. Vernacular Roots.
32. Linguistic Variation and Social Identity.
Notes.
References.
Index.
William Labov, University of Pennsylvania
"This book is indispensable for everybody in the field, from undergraduates to advanced researchers. Well-written, engaged, and inspiring, it is at the same time a state-of-the-art account of variationist sociolinguistics and a challenge to go on and enhance our knowledge."
Daniel Schreier, University of Zürich
"Professor Chambers's book successfully combines a theoretical grounding in variationist sociolinguistics with generous descriptions of the research on which the theories are based. This makes it particularly inspiring for students who themselves want to try their hands at this field of study."
Mats Mobärg, University of Gothenburg
