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Zusatztext William Labov (b. 1927) revolutionized the field of sociolinguistics with his rigorous quantitative approach and, maybe more importantly, with the questions he asked. In a series of landmark studies, he showed that it was possible to investigate language variation in an empirical manner as well as to observe language change in action. In this highly readable book, Gordon (English, Univ. of Missouri) provides an excellent introduction to Labov's work and, to a great extent, the field of sociolinguistics. The narrative is clear and, in places, almost entertaining (for an academic book). The author does a very good job of helping readers understand the importance of Labov's work for linguistics and also for cultural studies generally. Labov's work needs to be better known, and it remains extremely relevant. For instance, his investigations of African American vernacular English provide much-needed context for understanding the testimony of witness Rachel Jeantel during George Zimmerman's 2013 trial for the murder of Trayvon Martin. Informationen zum Autor Matthew J. Gordon is Associate Professor in the English Department at the University of Missouri, USA Klappentext The first accessible single volume introduction and guide to Labov's work.> Vorwort The first accessible single volume introduction and guide to Labov's work. Zusammenfassung William Labov (b. 1927) has been a driving force in linguistics for over four decades. Throughout North America, and in much of the rest of the world, his name is synonymous with sociolinguistics. This new Guide for the Perplexed summarizes Labov's work in a number of subfields, including historical linguistics, discourse analysis and not least sociolinguistics. It also sketches a broader context for appreciating Labov's major innovations. His considerable and growing legacy is discussed with comparative glances to other ways of approaching language within linguistics and in neighboring disciplines. Since the publication of The Social Stratification of English in New York City in 1966, Labov has pushed the boundaries of sociolinguistics decade after decade but there has been no one volume guide to his work. This is that guide. Inhaltsverzeichnis Acknowledgements \ List of Figures \ 1. The Challenges of Labov \ 2. Linguistics and Sociolinguistics before Labov \ 3. How to Establish a Field as a Graduate Student \ 4. A Variationist Approach to Language \ 5. Speech Styles and Discourse \ 6. The "Socio" of Sociolinguistics \ 7. Labov as Historical Linguist \ 8. African American English: Lessons Learned, Lessons Taught \ 9. The Revolution at 50 \ Bibliography \ Index...
