The SAGE Handbook of Sociolinguistics
- Ruth Wodak - Lancaster University, UK, University of Lancaster, UK
- Barbara Johnstone - Carnegie Mellon University, USA
- Paul E Kerswill - University of Lancaster, UK
"A treasure trove for sociolinguistic researchers and students alike. Edited by three leading sociolinguists, the 39 chapters cover a wealth of valuable material... And the cast list reads like a veritable Who's Who of sociolinguistics, with a refreshing number of younger scholars included along with more familiar, well-established names... This is a book that I will reach for often, both for research and teaching purposes. I will recommend it to my postgraduate students, and many of the chapters will provide excellent material for discussion in our advanced undergraduate sociolinguistics course."
- Janet Holmes, Discourse Studies
- Joshua A. Fishman, NYU and Stanford University
This Handbook answers a long-standing need for an up-to-date, comprehensive, international, in-depth critical survey of the history, trajectory, data, results and key figures involved in sociolinguistics. It consists of six inter-linked sections:
- The History of Sociolinguistics
- Sociolinguistics and Social Theory
- Language, Variation and Change
- Interaction
- Multilingualism and Contact
- Applications
The result is a work of unprecedented coverage and insight. It is all here, from the foundational contributions to the field to the impact of new media, new technologies of communication, globalization, trans-border fluidities and agendas of research.
The book will quickly be recognized as a benchmark in the field. It will provide a basis for reckoning its origins and pathways of development as well as an authoritative account of the central debates and research issues of today.
I considered using The Handbook of Sociolinguistics as one of recommended / suplementary readings for my English for Academic or Specific courses at the University Language Centre of the Ruhr-University in Bochum.
The book as such proves to be very useful for course teacher(s) when designing the curriculum and actual course materials, will however be far too detailed and specific for students in the course in question.
Awareness of sociolinguistic aspects, above all of multilingualism and interaction within EAP / ESP characteristic features, is crucial for their proper implementation in further academic and professional careers, should nevertheless be enhanced with more practical and task-based publications / materials. Moreover, my worry is that the Handbook does not cater for the needs of mixed-ability classes, with participants coming from various academic backgrounds (engineering, science, humanities etc.) - the case we have here at RUB Language Centre. Students with limited or no linguistics background may find it difficult to work with the Handbook.
Sample Materials & Chapters
Chapter 1: Ferguson and Fishman: Sociolinguistics and the Sociology of Language
