This book examines the role of language in the present and past creation of social, cultural, and national identities in Europe. It considers the way in which language may sometimes reinforce national identity (as in England) while tending to subvert the nation-state (as in the United Kingdom).

This book, which examines the interrelations of language and society in German-speaking countries, is the most detailed account of German sociolinguistics to appear in English. Topics covered include the history and development of the German language, German as a minority language, traditional dialects, the influence of English on German, and German in the East and West.

This book examines the role of language in the present and past creation of social, cultural, and national identities in Europe. To what extent do ethnic and national identities depend on the occurrence of distinct languages? What linguistic, geographical, political, and social forces led to the rise of these distinct languages? How are these different languages social and political constructs? A select team of international contributors consider these and other questions, drawing on evidence from the majority of European countries.

This book examines the interrelations between language and society in the German-speaking countries. The questions What is German and who speaks it? and How does the language vary dependent on social, political and geographical factors? are addressed and placed in their historical context. This is a comprehensive account of major topics in the contemporary study of German sociolinguistics, and topics covered include the history and development of the German language, German as a minority language, minority languages in German-speaking countries, traditional dialects, variation in contemporary colloquial speech, the influence of English on German, and German in East and West. It draws together much otherwise inaccessible material from a great range of sources. The authors also assess critically research work carried out in German-speaking countries. The book is written from a standpoint outside of the German-speaking tradition of linguisitc studies, and is a detailed account in English of German sociolinguistics.

This book examines the interrelations between language and society in the German-speaking countries. The questions What is German and who speaks it? and How does the language vary dependent on social, political and geographical factors? are addressed and placed in their historical context. This is a comprehensive account of major topics in the contemporary study of German sociolinguistics, and topics covered include the history and development of the German language, German as a minority language, minority languages in German-speaking countries, traditional dialects, variation in contemporary colloquial speech, the influence of English on German, and German in East and West. It draws together much otherwise inaccessible material from a great range of sources. The authors also assess critically research work carried out in German-speaking countries. The book is written from a standpoint outside of the German-speaking tradition of linguisitc studies, and is a detailed account in English of German sociolinguistics.