List of figures; List of tables; Sounds and symbols used in the text; Acknowledgements; Maps; Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Variation and language; Chapter 3 Variation and style; Chapter 4 Language attitudes; Chapter 5 Verbal politeness - interactional options; Chapter 6 Multilingualism and language choice; Chapter 7 Real time and apparent time; Chapter 8 Social class; Chapter 9 Social networks and communities of practice; Chapter 10 Gender; Chapter 11 Language contact; Chapter 12 Looking back and looking ahead; Notes on the exercises; Glossary; Bibliography; Index