This pocket-sized alphabetic guide introduces popular terms used in the study of language and society. A central topic within modern linguistics, sociolinguistics deals with human communication and the use of language in its social context. Clearly written by a leading authority in the field, this glossary provides full coverage of both traditional and contemporary terminology, including the relatively new areas within sociolinguistics of sign language, gay language and cross-cultural communication. Key features: * An ideal companion to courses in sociolinguistics, language variation and change, dialectology, English language and language and gender * Contains illustrations, dialect maps and a bibliography * Provides linguistic examples of the terms defined * Supplies numerous cross-references to related terms.