Folk Linguistics (Trends in Linguistics) (Trends in Linguistics. Studies and Monographs [Tilsm])

"Folk knowledge of language has not engaged linguists very often in the history of that field. Introductory texts often disparage folkbelief in contrast to 'scientific truth'. In fact, language is a ubiquitous topic of discussion and general concern of the folk. They talk about grammar, pronunciation, first and second language learning, language disabilities, dialects, gender and language, and a host of other topics. This book approaches such beliefs as one of most important aspects of ethnography. Surely what a people believe about their language is as important as any other key to an understanding of their culture. This fascinating book investigates how non-linguists think and talk about language, an area overlooked by linguists, as the authors show." __Joseph Salmons in: Diachronica__

TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS is a series of books that open new perspectives in our understanding of language. The series publishes state-of-the-art work on core areas of linguistics across theoretical frameworks, as well as studies that provide new insights by approaching language from an interdisciplinary perspective.

TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS considers itself a forum for cutting-edge research based on solid empirical data on language in its various manifestations, including sign languages. It regards linguistic variation in its synchronic and diachronic dimensions as well as in its social contexts as important sources of insight for a better understanding of the design of linguistic systems and the ecology and evolution of language.

TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS publishes monographs and outstanding dissertations as well as edited volumes, which provide the opportunity to address controversial topics from different empirical and theoretical viewpoints. High quality standards are ensured through anonymous reviewing.

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1. Introduction -- 2. Regionalism -- 3. Social Factors -- 4. Language Acquisition And Applied Linguistics -- 5. General And Descriptive Linguistics -- 6. The Last Words -- App. Fieldworker And Respondent Identifications And Indent Recording Data. By Nancy A. Niedzielski, Dennis R. Preston. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This text provides an overview and analysis of what nonlinguists believe about language across a wide range of topics. It provides rationale for the importance of such study, not only in its own ethnographic right, but also in its importance to general and applied linguistics.