Providing a comprehensive overview of sociolinguistic methods and areas of investigation, this engaging and practical text covers every issue of major concern in the field. Made up of a series of short essays written by renowned international experts and presented in thematic groups, key topics discussed include:

language, sex and gender multilingualism language and ideology language and education language and ethnicity pidgins and creoles.

With a substantial A-Z glossary of key terms and concepts, directions for further study, and detailed cross-referencing with links to the glossary, The Routledge Companion to Sociolinguistics is both an essential broad-based introduction for those new to the field, and a highly useful reference for established researchers in the area.