"Refreshingly up-to-date, with a broad range of pertinent examples. It deserves to become the standard introduction to that most basic of sciences, sociolinguistics. Top marks!"--John R. Perry, University of Chicago "An engaging introductory book, easy to read and accessible enough for undergraduate students while being current and detailed enough for a graduate level introductory courses.A good substitute for Trudgill's.My students were also pleased with the affordability of the text."--Joaquin S. Vila, Mankato State University "Provides an excellent foundation for students in introductory courses.

Excellent resource to supplement multicultural courses in speech-language pathology and audiology."--Adele Proctor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign "An up-to-date, somtimes issue oriented, and very readable introductory text. Good examples used."--Brian Stross, University of Texas "Would recommend this book strongly as a general introduction to the study of language.It should be read before books on syntax or others on 'sociolinguistics' because it clearly lays before the reader the essentials of language as a tool for communication in a human context. Readable and informative."--Robert Austerlitz, Columbia University "This appears to be an ideal text for my course, Language and Culture."--Harold R.

Battersby, SUNY-Geneseo "This book is a valuable introduction to the field of sociolinguistics for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students. It is a readable yet thorough study which offers both the traditional viewpoint and alternative perspectives on a 'still rather young' discipline."-- Language In Society.