Introducing Sociolinguistics - Softcover

Rajend Mesthrie; Joan Swann; Rebecca Lurie Starr

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1474498388 ISBN 13: 9781474498388

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2026

Synopsis

Provides a solid foundation in all aspects of sociolinguistics

• Accessibly written with the beginner in mind
• 12 fully revised chapters, including 2 entirely new chapters: Modes, Media, Mobilities; Globalisation and Language
• A glossary and over 100 maps, diagrams, inset boxes, drawing and cartoons clearly demonstrate key concepts, data and ideas
• An international focus supported by numerous examples from multilingual settings
• New topics covered include globalisation, migration, the sociolinguistics or writing, new modes of communication and youth languages

Written by teachers with first-hand experience of sociolinguistic developments on four continents, this textbook has introduced thousands of students worldwide to the central topics in sociolinguistics. Now fully updated to reflect the new debates, approaches, and findings within the field, this is the perfect resource for those taking introductory courses in Sociolinguistics, Language and Society, Identity and Power and Language Variation and Change.

The book covers multilingualism, code-choice, language variation, dialectology, interactional studies, gender, language contact, language and inequality, and language and power. Brand new additions include: an innovative new chapter exploring globalisation and language, a new chapter on writing and multimodality and new sections exploring areas such as migration, gender and identity, the sociolinguistics of writing, new modes of communication and youth languages.

About this title

About the Authors

Rajend Mesthrie is Emeritus Professor of Linguistics and Senior Research Scholar at the University of Cape Town. He was Head of the Linguistics Section (1998 – 2009), and holder of an NRF research chair in migration, language, and social change. He was President of the Linguistics Society of Southern Africa (2002-2009) and President of the International Congress of Linguists (2013-2018). He is an elected honorary life member of SALALS (South African Linguistic and Applied Linguistics Society) and the LSA (Linguistic Society of America). He is a past co-editor of English Today (2008-2012). Amongst his book publications are Language in Indenture: a Sociolinguistic history of Bhojpuri-Hindi in South Africa (1992, reprinted. 2019), Introducing Sociolinguistics (with Swann, Deumert & Leap, Edinburgh University Press 2009), Language in South Africa (ed. 2002) and Youth Language Practices & Urban Language Contact in Africa (ed. with Hurst-Harosh & Brookes, 2021).

Joan Swann is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Language and Communication in the School of Education at the Open University, UK.

From the Back Cover

Sociolinguistics is one of the central branches of modern linguistics and deals with the place of language in human societies. This second edition of Introducing Sociolinguistics expertly synthesises the main approaches to the subject. The book covers areas such as multilingualism, code-choice, language variation, dialectology, interactional studies, gender, language contact, language and inequality, and language and power. At the same time it provides an integrated perspective on these themes by examining sociological theories of human interaction. In this regard power and inequality are particularly significant. The book also contains two chapters on the applications of sociolinguistics (in education and in language policy and planning) and a concluding chapter on the sociolinguistics of sign language. New topics covered include speaking style and stylisation, while current debates in areas like creolisation, globalisation and language death, language planning, and gender are reflected. Written collaboratively by teachers and scholars with first hand experience of sociolinguistic developments on four continents, this book provides the broadest introduction currently available to the central topics in sociolinguistics. Features: * Provides a solid foundation in all aspects of sociolinguistics and explores important themes such as power and inequality, sign language, gender and the internet * Well illustrated with maps, diagrams, inset boxes, drawings and cartoons * Accessibly written with the beginner in mind * Uses numerous examples from multilingual settings * Explains basic concepts, supported by a glossary * Further Reading lists, a full bibliography, and a section on 'next steps' provide valuable guidance. Rajend Mesthrie is Professor of Linguistics, University of Cape Town and current President of the Linguistics Society of Southern Africa. Joan Swann is Senior Lecturer, Centre for Language and Communication, Open University. Ana Deumert is As

Edition details

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1474498388
• ISBN 13: 9781474498388
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 416