What Is Sociolinguistics? (Linguistics in the World) - Softcover

?This is a delightfully engaging introduction to the passionate purpose of sociolinguistics. Van Herk is a masterful guide who personally escorts students on an informative, entertaining tour of the field. Students experience sociolinguistics through the perfect blend of substance, interaction, and autobiographical perspective.? ? Walt Wolfram, North Carolina State University ?What is Sociolinguistics offers a refreshingly different take on many of the standard, key concepts in the field. It is funny, clear, and distinctly personal, providing essential information about sociolinguistics and referring students to a host of other works that can take them deeper if they wish.? ? John Rickford, Stanford University

What is Sociolinguistics? is a tour through the major issues that define the field, such as region, status, gender, time, language attitudes, interaction, and style, while also exploring the sociolinguistics of multilingualism, culture and ethnicity, language contact, and education, all introduced with excitement, humor, and deep knowledge. Explores the sociolinguistics of multilingualism, culture and ethnicity, language contact, and educationProvides useful and clear learning features including numerous innovative exercises and project ideas, spotlighted research readings, glossary terms, chapter summaries, and text boxes The Companion Website for Instructors (www.wiley.com/go/vanherkprofs) has PowerPoint slides for each chapter with suggestions for framing class discussions and exercises, further examples on concepts discussed in the book, tips on additional readings to bring in, and ready-to-go slides for class presentation. The Companion Website for Students (www.wiley.com/go/vanherk) includes links for every chapter from standard sociolinguistic tools to links designed to spark discussion relevant to each chapter, including video clips, oral histories, articles, and more.