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Title: nice tone comprehensive
Review: This book was the primary text for my introductory graduate Sociolinguistics class at Portland State University, taught by G. Tucker Childs. Fairly user-friendly in tone. Seemed like it would be accessible for undergraduates as well. (There were college seniors in my class and they seemed to comprehend the material.) Handles all the major contemporary theories. Since the major theories are numerous, complex, and frequently contradictory, Wardhaugh's thought-provoking end-of-chapter questions are a big help for students trying to sort out their intuitions. Great chapters on pidgins and creoles, diglossia, gender, and speech act theories. Extensive citation of post-1950 research studies and a charming final chapter in which he smilingly admits that this fascinating, emerging discipline is really all over the map.
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