Areas covered include the relation of sociolinguistics to the original concept of the Linguistic Atlas of Middle and South Atlantic States (LAMSAS), the mechanics of computerising LAMSAS, the creation of analysis categories and statistical testing.

Dialectology--the study of variation in language rather than an invariant, homogenous grammar--lends itself quite naturally to computer assistance, both for the entry and maintenance of a database for quantitative analysis. This book is an introduction to the quantitative analysis of linguistic survey data featuring the Linguistic Atlas of the Middle and South Atlantic States (LAMSAS). Serious quantification and large-scale application of statistics demand the ability to handle large amounts of data elicited in a broad survey with the efficiency of automation. Introduction to Quantitative Analysis of Linguistic Survey Data provides a detailed account of how to adapt LAMSAS to the needs of computerization, the mechanics involved in computerizing LAMSAS, how to analyze the data in the system, statistical testing, and more. Professionals and practitioners in linguistics will be able to analyze the frequency of variants more accurately using the methods detailed in this volume--which in turn will give them a more realistic view of a particular language culture.

Quantitative Methods in Linguistics offers a practical introduction to statistics and quantitative analysis with data sets drawn from the field and coverage of phonetics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, and syntax, as well as probability distribution and quantitative methods. Provides balanced treatment of the practical aspects of handling quantitative linguistic data Includes sample datasets contributed by researchers working in a variety of sub-disciplines of linguistics Uses R, the statistical software package most commonly used by linguists, to discover patterns in quantitative data and to test linguistic hypotheses Includes student-friendly end-of-chapter assignments and is accompanied by online resources at available in the 'Downloads' section, below

The chapters in this innovative book introduce the quantitative analysis of linguistic survey data with specific reference to the Linguistic Atlas of the Middle and South Atlantic States (LAMSAS). The topics covered include the relation of sociolinguistics to the original conception of LAMSAS, the adaptation of LAMSAS to the needs of computerization and the research methods envisioned, the mechanics involved in computerizing LAMSAS, and much more.

The ten volumes of the "Handbook of Pragmatics Highlights" focus on the most salient topics in the field of pragmatics, thus dividing its wide interdisciplinary spectrum in a transparent and manageable way. While the other volumes select specific philosophical, cognitive, grammatical, cultural, interactional, or discursive angles, this sixth volume focuses on the dynamic aspects of language and reviews the relevant developments in variationist and diachronic scholarship. The areas explored in the volume concern several general themes: specific methodological approaches, from comparative reconstruction to evolutionary pragmatics; issues in intra-lingual variation in terms of standard and non-standard varieties; cross-linguistic variation, including its cross-cultural dimension; and the study of diachronic relations across linguistic patterns, including changes in all areas of pragmatic patterns and categories. The contributions document two prominent and interrelated trends that shape contemporary variationist and diachronic research. One, it has moved from situating change within context-independent systems toward incorporating patterns of language use and the speaker s role in language change. And two, it has reoriented its focus away from cataloguing instances of variation and toward seeking theoretically informed accounts that aim at "explaining" variation and change. On the whole, the volume argues for accepting and developing actively a systematic connection between research in diachrony, synchronic variation, and typology, while also incorporating the socio-cognitive perspective in linguistic analysis as a particularly promising source of useful methodology and explanatory models."

This book provides an accessible yet comprehensive introduction to the study of the dialects of English as they are spoken around the world, from the earliest dialect dictionaries of the sixteenth century to contemporary research emerging from the field of geolinguistics. Organised into ten thematic chapters, it explores and evaluates the methods and purposes of each approach to the study of dialectal variation, with full explanations of technical terms throughout. Illuminating one of the most productive fields of interest in language study, this compelling book is essential reading for students of dialect and regional difference in English.

The Handbook of Language Mapping aims to explore the core methodological and theoretical approaches of linguistic cartography. In both empirical and theoretical linguistics, the spatial variation of language is of increasing interest and the visualization of language in space is therefore also of growing significance. It is the precondition for correct data interpretation. But how does it work? What has to be considered when drawing a map? And how has the problem been tackled so far? This book provides answers to such questions by taking a closer look at the theoretical issues surrounding cartography and at the concrete practice of mapping. The fundamental issues raised are addressed particularly well, since linguistic geography is not only one of the domains with a lengthy tradition, it is also one of the most progressive fields in linguistics. At the same time, because of their visual primacy, linguistic maps directly confront the challenges of human perception and aesthetics. In this context, envisioning the fruits of language mapping is a fascinating and inspiring endeavor, not just for experts. With its accessible texts and wealth of full-color images, the handbook not only represents a comprehensive manual serving the interests of a variety of readers, it also fills a gap in the ongoing linguistic discourse.

The second edition of the definitive reference on contact studies and linguistic change—provides extensive new research and original case studies Language contact is a dynamic area of contemporary linguistic research that studies how language changes when speakers of different languages interact. Accessibly structured into three sections, The Handbook of Language Contact explores the role of contact studies within the field of linguistics, the value of contact studies for language change research, and the relevance of language contact for sociolinguistics. This authoritative volume presents original findings and fresh research directions from an international team of prominent experts. Thirty-seven specially-commissioned chapters cover a broad range of topics and case studies of contact from around the world. Now in its second edition, this valuable reference has been extensively updated with new chapters on topics including globalization, language acquisition, creolization, code-switching, and genetic classification. Fresh case studies examine Romance, Indo-European, African, Mayan, and many other languages in both the past and the present. Addressing the major issues in the field of language contact studies, this volume: Includes a representative sample of individual studies which re-evaluate the role of language contact in the broader context of language and society Offers 23 new chapters written by leading scholars Examines language contact in different societies, including many in Africa and Asia Provides a cross-section of case studies drawing on languages across the world The Handbook of Language Contact, Second Edition is an indispensable resource for researchers, scholars, and students involved in language contact, language variation and change, sociolinguistics, bilingualism, and language theory.

The Handbook of Language Variation and Change, written by a distinguished international roster of contributors, reflects the vitality and growth of the discipline in its multifaceted pursuits. It is a convenient, hand-held repository of the essential knowledge about the study of language variation and change. Written by internationally recognized experts in the field. Reflects the vitality and growth of the discipline. Discusses the ideas that drive the field and is illustrated with empirical studies. Includes explanatory introductions which set out the boundaries of the field and place each of the chapters into perspective.

From the Gulf States and Beyond demonstrates how LAGS material can be used to address issues important to socio-linguists, dialectologists, folklorists, and others about the speech and culture of the 20th-century South. In addition to the authors' own insights, these essays show how the LAGS project has created an enormous treasury for future research.