Dialectology

Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics

by J.K. Chambers, Peter Trudgill

Dialectology is the study of language variation. Traditionally, this has largely been the province of dialect geographers, who concentrated on the speech of the linguistically conservative rural population in order to map regional differences. Interest has shifted to urban speech, and sociolinguists have correlated linguistic variables with other variables such as age, social class, sex and ethnic background. Dialectology not only provides a thorough exposition of these two approaches - their histories, methodologies and significant results, drawn from studies of a wide range of languages - it also integrates them within a single conceptual framework as two aspects of the same discipline. The authors argue that dialectology can thus make an important contribution to general linguistic theory and in particular answer questions about variability in language, which has in the past too often been assigned peripheral or accidental status. Designed primarily as a comprehensive textbook for undergraduate courses in dialect studies, this book also points towards innovative and stimulating research areas.

Genres: Linguistics, Nonfiction, Language, Academic

Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Rhomboid Goatcabin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This introduction to dialectology covers all the bases and supplies plenty of examples, but is rather wordy and lacks streamlining in presenting its topics. The preoccupation - never at the fore but often breaking the surface - with generativism is surely a sign of the times (1980), but might, in my opinion, have been stricken from the manuscript even then.

[RdWd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough guide that suits both budding dialectologists and casual readers interested in this specific branch of linguistic research. Chambers and Trudgill do well to incorporate a detailed history of methodologies for both the "traditional dialectology" of the 19th/20th century and later the urban and variant-focused "sociolinguistics" of the mid-20th century to present. The volume is particularly successful in illustrating a sort of confluence between these two traditions, which are often cited as being "polar" approaches. Just like varieties of a language are gradually transitional rather than static, Trudgill and Chambers show that the same can be said of the development of dialect methodologies.

Of course with this second (and most recent) edition being published in 1998, much has been written about dialectology since the late 90s. A third edition is certainly needed. There's definitely potential for a few new chapters, for example on the topic of perceptual dialectology, of which there is nothing documented in this book. I also think that the book would have benefited greatly from a glossary section as well, as it was at times hard to keep track of all of the terminology.

[Abdallah Reguig · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good book that covers dialectology from its history to its implementation, how the study of dialects started and how to study them, a good book in general, especially for those who are interested to read about dialects

[Gia Almachar · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots of study

[Ross Perlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful survey, probably somewhat outdated, of this sub-field of linguistics, Chambers and Trudgill (with lots of East Anglia evidence, and New York material from Labov) trace the field’s history from the testing of Neogrammarian sound change rules by looking at the speech of Non-mobile Older Rural Males (NORMs) to the cutting edge of urban dialectology, isogloss and heterogloss controversy, and every other possible way of explain “dialect” variation (class, gender, age etc.)

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-organized survey with good pointers, highly informative for its length of only 190 pages. The first edition appeared in 1980 when the interest in dialectology revived, the second edition is 13 years old. I guess much must have happened since it was published given how much easier it is now to collect and process the linguistic data. The book is mostly about phonological variation, there is almost no information about measuring lexical and grammatical variation.

[[ J o ] · Rating 1 out of 5]

[to review at a later date - maybe even re-read at a later date as well, though not urgent]