An introduction to sociolinguistics

摘要

Wardhaugh's textbook provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to sociolinguistics (and/or the sociology of language). It should be both accessible and interesting to beginning students and to those teaching them, as well as to more advanced seminar students who can pursue some of the suggested readings in greater detail.rnIn his introduction, Wardhaugh identifies and describes six themes that run throughout the material that follows: knowledge of language, variation, scientific investigation, language and society, sociolinguistics and the sociology of language, and methodological concerns. Each brief thematic presentation is followed by excerpts of exemplary material selected from key writings in the field, and/or questions that can form the basis for homework assignments or classroom discussion.