1 Introduction: notions of language
Part I Micro-choices
2 Standard and dialect: social stratification as a factor of
linguistic choice
Questions for discussion
3 Gendered speech: sex as a factor of linguistic choice
Questions for discussion
4 Communicating across generations: age as a factor of
linguistic choice
Questions for discussion
5 Choice and change
Questions for discussion
6 Politeness: cultural dimensions of linguistic choice
Questions for discussion
Part II Macro-choices
7 Code-switching: linguistic choices across language
boundaries
Questions for discussion
8 Diglossia and bilingualism: functional restrictions on
language choice
Questions for discussion
9 Language spread, shift and maintenance: how groups
choose their language
Questions for discussion
10 Language and identity: individual, social, national
Questions for discussion
11 Language planning: communication demands, public
choice, utility
Questions for discussion
12 Select letters: a major divide
Questions for discussion
13 The language of choice
Questions for discussion
Glossary of terms
References
Internet resources
Index