Language in Society: An Introduction to Sociolinguistics by Suzanne Romaine

Why have 1,500 separate languages developed in Melanesia? Why is a Cornish accent rated higher than Cockney speech but lower than Oxford English? Linguistics tends to ignore the relationship between languages and the societies in which they are spoken, while sociology generally overlooks the role of language in the constitution of society. Suzanne Romaine provides a clear, lively, and accessible introduction to the field of sociolinguistics, emphasizing the constant interaction between society and language. In her examples she draws on studies of cultures all over the world, including her own extensive fieldwork in Papua New Guinea.