Sociolinguistics: An Introduction to Language and Society; Third Edition (Penguin Language and Linguistics) [Paperback]

Peter Trudgill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996 | ISBN-10: 014023926X | ISBN-13: 978-0140239263 | Edition: 3

This is a revised edition of Peter Trudgill's introduction to that part of linguistics which is concerned with language as a social and cultural phenomenon. The text explores the close line between language and society, and the factors that influence the way we speak including: gender; age; environment; race and class; the part of the country we come from; whom we identify with; and whom we distrust. The many variations in spoken English are explored in depth, as well as related pidgins and creoles such as those of the West Indies. He shows how these are not just a form of "broken English".

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Trudgill is currently Professor of English Linguistics at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He is the author of: English Accents and Dialects (with Arthur Hughes); International English (with Jean Hannah); Applied Sociolinguistics; Language in the British Isles; The Dialects of England; The Sociolinguistics Reader (with Jenny Cheshire); and the Penguin books Bad Language (with Lars Andersson) and Introducing Language and Society. He lives in Lausanne, Switzerland. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); 3 edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014023926X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140239263
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,502,370 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful introduction to an exciting area, January 14, 2002

By 

Jeff Sebastian (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sociolinguistics: An Introduction to Language and Society, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

I feel compelled to provide an American perspective of this work. A newcomer to the field of sociolinguistics, I found the book both fascinating and enticing; I now have no doubt that I will pursue linguistics in college next year. Dialectical differences within such nations as Switzerland, Luxembourg and Norway are delved into and discussed not exclusively in a linguistic context, but in social and political contexts as well. Trudgull's book is refreshingly absent of the ponderous esoteric jargon that so often detracts from "niche" works, and which effectively prevent "neophytes" from enjoying the subject. Well done.

14 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars intrest toward sociolinguistics, October 16, 1999

By 

Kimi Nakatsukasa (tokyo, japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sociolinguistics: An Introduction to Language and Society; Third Edition (Penguin Language and Linguistics) (Paperback)

I'm Japanese high school student. Having been intrested in linguistics fora long time, I decided to try this book. It was pretty dificul for me in terms of words and vocablary but this book let ma have an intrest toward sociolinguistics. This book contains a lot of examples. ( I couldn't fugure out all of them, though. ) And made me realize we never can say "correct English" or somewhat. If there is anyone who is intrested in linguistics, please giveme a line. I hope to share our knowledge anf the way of thought.

0 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Okay, October 7, 2010

By 

Caps - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sociolinguistics: An Introduction to Language and Society, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

Came on time, but was a little more beat up than I would have liked.