When first published in 1980, Dialectology broke new ground by giving an integrated account of the social and regional aspects of dialectology. In this updated edition, the authors offer new sections on dialectometry and mapping variability, as well as updates of recent developments.The book examines dialectology in its widest sense, as the study of the way language, dialect and accent varies from place to place, social group to social group and time to time. As a comprehensive account of all aspects of dialectology this new edition makes an ideal introduction to the subject.