Languages in Contact

Key Topics in Sociolinguistics

by Lisa Lim, Umberto Ansaldo

Introducing new findings from popular culture, the globalised new economy and computer-mediated communication, this is a fascinating study of contact between languages in modern societies. Ansaldo and Lim bring together research on multilingualism, code-switching, language endangerment, and globalisation, into a comprehensive overview of world Englishes and creoles. Illustrated with a wide range of original examples from typologically diverse languages, including Sinitic, Autronesian, Dravidian and other non-Indo-European varieties, the book focuses on structural analyses of Asian ecologies and their relevance for current theories of contact phenomena. Full of new insights, it is essential reading for students and researchers across linguistics, culture and communication.

251 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2015

Reviews

[Sean Lundergan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lot of good stuff in here, interesting analyses of Asian English varieties and such varieties as Sri Lanka Malay, which you don’t hear about much in the US. I only give this three stars because of the arguments on the question of creole exceptionalism, which are mostly unconvincing and at times seem very dishonest. John McWhorter’s position,
included to be refuted, is pretty much presented as a straw man, and the authors’ alternative hypothesis is not accompanied by sufficient evidence, which was disappointing for me because I’m fairly new to the subject and want to develop my own position.