Language in the USA. Themes for the ...

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Language in the USA
This textbook provides a comprehensive survey of current language issues
in the USA. Through a series of specially commissioned chapters by lead-
ing scholars, it explores the nature of language variation in the United
States and its social, historical, and political significance.
Part 1, “American English,” explores the history and distinctiveness of
American English, as well as looking at regional and social varieties,
African American Vernacular English, and the
Dictionary of American
Regional English
. Part 2, “Other language varieties,” looks at Creole and
Native American languages, Spanish, American Sign Language, Asian
American varieties, multilingualism, linguistic diversity, and English
acquisition. Part 3, “The sociolinguistic situation,” includes chapters on
attitudes to language, ideology and prejudice, language and education,
adolescent language, slang, Hip Hop Nation Language, the language of
cyberspace, doctor–patient communication, language and identity in liter-
ature, and how language relates to gender and sexuality. It also explores
recent issues such as the Ebonics controversy, the Bilingual Education
debate, and the English-Only movement.
Clear, accessible, and broad in its coverage,
Language in the USA
will
be welcomed by students across the disciplines of English, Linguistics,
Communication Studies, American Studies and Popular Culture, as well
as anyone interested more generally in language and related issues.
EDWARD FINEGAN is Professor of Linguistics and Law at the Uni-
versity of Southern California. He has published articles in a variety of
journals, and his previous books include
Attitudes toward English Usage
(1980),
Sociolinguistic Perspectives on Register
(co-edited with Douglas
Biber, 1994), and
Language: Its Structure and Use
, 4th edn. (2004). He
has contributed two chapters on English grammar and usage to the recently
completed
Cambridge History of the English Language.
JOHN R. RICKFORD is Martin Luther King Jr. Centennial Professor
of Linguistics, Stanford University, and Director of Stanford University’s
program in African and Afro-American Studies. He has published articles
in a variety of journals, and his previous books include
Dimensions of a
Creole Continuum
(1987),
African American Vernacular English
(1999),
and
Spoken Soul: the Story of Black English
(co-authored with his son
Russell Rickford, 2000). Most recently, he has co-edited with Penelope
Eckert
Style and Sociolinguistic Variation
(Cambridge University Press,
2001).
Language in the USA
Themes for the Twenty-first Century
EDWARD FINEGAN
University of Southern California
JOHN R. RICKFORD
Stanford University
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