Abstract
In this chapter we consider what it means to produce a Manual of Romance Sociolinguistics. We outline the development of Sociolinguistics and situate Romance Sociolinguistics within this, highlighting in particular its distinctive characteristics. We conclude by considering possible new directions for scholars working in the field, and argue that there needs to be more truly comparative work, which draws on the wealth and diversity of the data afforded by the very many genetically related dialects, regional varieties, minoritized and major languages of the Romance-speaking area. We contend that such studies will not only contribute to general theories of variation and change and the testing of so-called sociolinguistic universals, but also address important areas of language policy, including the maintenance and support of linguistic diversity at a time of high mobility and migration, as well as concerns about the effects of globalization and the dominance of English.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Manual of Romance Sociolinguistics |
| Editors | Wendy Ayres-Bennett, Janice Carruthers |
| Place of Publication | Berlin-Boston |
| Publisher | De Gruyter |
| Pages | 3-24 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-11-036595-5 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-3-11-037012-6 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2018 |