Language in Society: An Introduction to Sociolinguistics

Suzanne Romaine takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of the field of sociolinguistics. The role of society in language use is examined from many different angles. Since this is an introductory book, it doesn't go into each subfield very deeply, but it does give you a broad overview of what we study in this field. I thought that the author paid particular attention to the issues of pidgins and creoles, and gender issues in language use. This would be useful for beginners in sociolinguistics and for those interested in the two specializations mentioned above.

This was for a class for my masters degree - useful

Well put together with plenty of practical examples. I used it for a class and referenced back to it several times later in my studies.

I read this book for a graduate school class on sociolinguistics. I do not have a background on linguistics, so reading this with little knowledge and experience was challenging. There is a heavy emphasis on particular location's linguistics, and Romaine's writing on gender was very interesting. It contains a lot of information, but it will be quite an experience for a reader who is new to linguistics.

What is sociolinguistics? What does it aim to do? and in What respects does it diverge from other theoretical linguistic approaches?-if you have questions like these, there is every reason why you should buy and read this book. This inspiring introduction to a relatively new field of linguistics explains clearly and in a plain style why that field was born, what ends it can serve and what attitudes it takes toward lanaguge science; insomuch that those who has just started to take interest in the field of linguistics have no difficulty understanding it; but, on the contrary, can enjoy reading it.Whether you can agree with the author's ideas, whether you find her arguments satisfying, I know not; but one thing is certain: regardless of whether you are for or againts this book's assertions, reading this book can never be a waste of time.

Though it is difficult to define the field of sociolinguistics, the author succeeds to resume the complicated topics. Professior Ossan recommended it in favor of the sophistication and the usefulness. G-head, a friend of mine, said to me "The sentence structures in this book are a little bit difficult to non-native speaker", which I can agree. His opinion probably hints this book is suggestive in terms of not just its contents but also its readability.

This was my first "read" in the area of sociolinguistic, though after working my way through texts in other linguistic areas I can say that this was the most enjoyable and understandable of the lot. Plenty of great examples provided, and the chapter on language and gender particulary compelling. It's good enough to make you want to take up sociolinguistics as a career.

言語というものは実際、場所、性別、年齢、階級などの影響により音韻、語彙、文法の相違があり、ほぼ固定しているものではないことにこの本を読んでいて気づいた。私の経験からも述べると、日本で学んだ英語もロシアを訪問したときに発音面、綴りにおいて相違があることを読んでいて思い出した。そう考えると、日本独特な社会の母国語、多言語の特徴への関心を向けることも重要であることに気づくのである。