"This is an excellent, comprehensive examination of the field of language and society...The writing is clear and concise; understandable for a novice student and without unnecessary technical words. In addition, with the recently updated information and examples in this edition (specifically hip-hop and rap language, and material on the language of the 'war on terror') this could very well provide new information to more advanced students. The author provides a fair and balanced examination of many issues in the field of sociolinguistics."-- Linguist List, June 2009'... this book is very engaging, with fascinating in-depth examples.' - The Journal of Language and Society