Studying Dialect

Description

This book provides an accessible yet comprehensive introduction to the study of the dialects of English as they are spoken around the world, from the earliest dialect dictionaries of the sixteenth century to contemporary research emerging from the field of geolinguistics. Organised into ten thematic chapters, it explores and evaluates the methods and purposes of each approach to the study of dialectal variation, with full explanations of technical terms throughout. Illuminating one of the most productive fields of interest in language study, this compelling book is essential reading for students of dialect and regional difference in English.

Rob Penhallurick is a Reader in English Language at Swansea University. He has written extensively on dialect study and varieties of English, and is also the author of Studying the English Language.

By embedding present-day concepts within the history of ideas, Rob Penhallurick has written the most comprehensive account to date of the evolution and current state of dialect study. Students will especially value his explanations of terminology, the diverse pictorial illustrations, the up-to-date coverage of internet initiatives and resources, and his chapter-related suggestions for further study. * David Crystal, Honorary Professor of Linguistics, University of Bangor, UK * Penhallurick's Studying Dialect provides a thorough history of dialect research. More than that, it involves the reader in a discussion of the issues and debates that have informed that history. Written accessibly for all audiences, the text is full of images, resources and suggestions for hands-on participation in dialect study. Penhallurick's book will fascinate readers who are already in the field, as well as engage its student readers. Because of the author's enthusiasm and thoughtfulness, this work will encourage readers to join the next generation of dialect research. * Alison Burkette, Associate Professor of Linguistics, University of Mississippi, USA * Here is the sweep of dialect study, from its beginnings in the promptings of philology to its practice in the age of sociolinguistics. In a work meticulously set out by a scholar especially qualified to interpret the breadth of the discipline, the reader has access to its cumulative components, every one of which is essential for a true understanding of the whole. * Clive Upton, Emeritus Professor of Modern English Language, University of Leeds, UK * This ambitious book is a much welcome introduction to the study of dialects ... a valuable resource for linguistics students and teachers, who will surely benefit from its informativeness, clarity, abundant visuals and suggestions. * Language and Society *