Introduction ...5 // 1. The Sociological Background to Sociolinguistics ...6 // 2. The Basic Field of Sociolinguistics ...9 // 3. Aspects of Language Planning ...12 // 4. Standard English: Its’ Detractors and Defenders ...16 // 5. Language and Culture ...19 // 6. Language and the Media ...22 // 7. Is Language Sexist? ...26 // 8. Gender and Language Use ...20 // 9. Language and Class ...22 // 10. A Brief Introduction to Discourse Analysis ...34 // 11. Language Change ...39 // 12. Sociolinguistics and English Language Teaching ...42 // Conclusion and Endnote ...46 // Bibliography ...47