Sociolinguistics: The Essential Readings is a collection of classic articles that have helped define the field of sociolinguistics and provide the foundation for future research, paired with more recent articles which indicate the direction the field has taken. - Offers a collection of classic articles that helped to define the field of sociolinguistics paired with more contemporary articles. - Contextualizes the history of the subject matter and helps students understand the progression of intellectual development in the field. - Includes an editorial introduction written by two prominent researchers in the field, as well as recommendations for further readings. "Students who are new to the field at last have the opportunity to read the major seminal works by Ferguson, Fishman, Hymes, Labov, and a host of other luminaries while being guided regarding the relationship of these works to the developmental history of the field by concise but comprehensive introductions to each topic and by well-thought-out discussion questions at the end of each section. I heartily recommend this book to my colleagues and plan to use it myself in my introductory courses." Paul Lewis, SIL International "Sociolinguistics has grown so dramatically that a book of essential readings has become vitally necessary. Paulston and Tucker have put together a superb sample of the critical and the seminal, making this volume a milestone in its field." Joseph Lo Bianco, Language Australia: NLLIA "The combination of classic articles with more recent seminal articles will be welcomed by all students of the discipline as a most timely publication. The editors’ introductory comments, the bibliographies, and their recommendations for further reading help make the book an invaluable work of reference." Theo J. M. van Els, University of Nijmegen Sociolinguistics: The Essential Readings is a collection of classic articles that have helped define the field of sociolinguistics and provide the foundation for future research, paired with more recent articles that indicate the direction the field has taken or the ways in which ideas were elaborated and challenged. These essays provide students with a historical perspective that allows them to understand the intellectual progression of the field by highlighting the practical use of theoretical models and the emergence of controversies and key questions from multiple perspectives. The readings are organized by topics and each section features an editorial introduction, recommendations for further reading, and suggested discussion questions and activities. Sociolinguistics: The Essential Readings is a collection of classic articles that have helped define the field of sociolinguistics and provide the foundation for future research, paired with more recent articles that indicate the direction the field has taken or the ways in which ideas were elaborated and challenged. These essays provide students with a historical perspective that allows them to understand the intellectual progression of the field by highlighting the practical use of theoretical models and the emergence of controversies and key questions from multiple perspectives. The readings are organized by topics and each section features an editorial introduction, recommendations for further reading, and suggested discussion questions and activities. Christina Bratt Paulston is Professor Emerita of Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh. Her publications include Linguistic Minorities of Central and Eastern Europe (edited with Don Peckham, 1998), Memories and Reflections (edited with G. Richard Tucker, 1997), and Sociolinguistic Perspectives on Bilingual Education (1992). G. Richard Tucker is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Head of the Department of Modern Languages at Carnegie Mellon University. He has published almost two hundred books, articles, and reviews concerning diverse aspects of second language learning and teaching, including The Bilingual Education of Children (1972). Used Book in Good Condition