Offering a uniquely broad-based overview of the role of language choice in the construction of national, ethnic and religious identity, this textbook examines a wide range of specific cases from various parts of the world in order to arrive at some general principles concerning the links between language and identity. It will benefit students and researchers in a wide range of fields where identity is an important issue and who currently lack a single source to turn to for an overview of sociolinguistics.
'...admirable both in its scope and in its depth - the book goes far beyond prior books touching on language and identity...It is well-written and should make for trouble free (and even enjoyable) reading by undergraduates, graduate students and the educated lay reader interested in language and languages or in the related social sciences, psychology and, perhaps, even literary studies.' - Joshua A. Fishman, Distinguished University Professor, Yeshiva University, USA