Linguistic Variation and Change

Description

The study of variation and change is at the heart of the sociolinguistics. Providing a wide survey of the field, this textbook is organised around three constraints on variation: linguistic structure, social structure and identity, and social and linguistic perception. By considering both structure and meaning, Scott F. Kiesling examines the most important issues surrounding variation theory, including canonical studies and terms, as well as challenges to them. Research in non-English and non-European contexts is also addressed. Contents List of Figures List of Tables Preface and acknowledgements Terminology and notation conventions Phonetic notation Part I: Questions and method 1 Questions about language and variation, and where we got them 2 The linguistic variable 3 Discovering and describing patterns of variation and change Part II: Variation and social relationships Introduction to Part II 4 Social patterns I: interspeaker variation 5 Social patterns II: intraspeaker variation 6 Meaning and social patterns 7 Acquisition of variation Part III: Variation, change, and linguistic structure Introduction to Part III 8 Structural patterns I: phonology and morphology 9 Structural patterns II: syntax, lexical variables, and suprasegmentals Part IV: Conclusions 10 The life and times of linguistic changes References Index