Variation, Versatility and Change in Sociolinguistics and Creole Studies

Rezensionen / Stimmen

'A much-needed collection showcasing the breadth of Rickford's work. Rickford always underpins careful descriptive work with integrity, and a deep commitment to the theoretical and moral dimensions of intellectual inquiry.' Miriam Meyerhoff, Victoria University of Wellington 'This book has a broad scope, addressing methodological and theoretical issues in sociolinguistics and creole studies, but also in applied and forensic linguistics. The chapters related to language, education, and law are great examples of how the work of linguists can have a meaningful impact on people's lives and the communities they investigate. In this sense, this book is very inspiring; it is a call for action. Action is needed because, as Rickford writes [(p. 49)], although 'all languages are POTENTIALLY equal, [...] ACTUAL equality of languages is a myth.' Linguists, as the specialists in language, can act on this. Also, throughout the book Rickford points toward areas of research where more work is needed. This, in my opinion, can be especially useful to students and young scholars.' Marie-Eve Bouchard, LINGUIST List 'This collection brings together a number of influential articles authored by John Rickford, one of the foremost sociolinguists of our time ... Rickford's astute analysis and proposals have by no means lost any of their relevance. Quite to the contrary: they starkly demonstrate that it is high time for research on pidgins and creoles to reignite its engagement with sociolinguistic concerns and theorizing. Investigations into pidgins and creoles including the analysis of their usage patterns have much to offer to today's largely English and monolingually focused sociolinguistic paradigm, and creolists will gain more nuanced views of pidgins and creoles through the kind of sociolinguistic research that Rickford has championed.' Bettina Migge, Journal of Pidgin and Creole Languages 'The book draws largely from Rickford's experiences as a fieldworker in Cane Walk in Guyana and a range of creoles. This collection of curated articles and essays written specifically for the text is telling of the magnitude of Rickford's contribution to sociolinguistics and creole studies' Wilfred Fimone, Language in Society