Florian Coulmas Libros

In 28 newly- commissioned chapters, distinguished contributors provide an up-to-date overview of sociolinguistics.

The textbook offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between language and society, providing students with a clear understanding of how these elements influence each other. It is designed to present updated theories and examples, ensuring an engaging learning experience that reflects contemporary issues in linguistics and social dynamics.

The book explores the evolution of writing systems, detailing their structures and functions from ancient cuneiform to modern English spelling. It provides an illustrated overview of various global writing systems, alongside a historical review of writing's development. Additionally, it delves into the relationship between literacy and society, offering insights into how written language shapes the literate mind.

Focusing on Japan's critical issues, the book delves into the complexities of population decline and the challenges of an aging society. It offers an in-depth analysis of the socio-economic impacts, potential solutions, and the implications for future generations. Through a thorough examination of demographic trends, the author highlights the urgency of addressing these challenges to ensure sustainable development and social stability in Japan.

'Identity' as a concept has many faces, and its very versatility in different contexts can make it hard to define. Florian Coulmas discusses the many meanings of this slippery concept, considering why individual and collective identities are important to us, and discussing the problems asserting individual identities can create.

Focusing on the complexities of multilingualism, this book integrates perspectives from linguistics, sociology, history, political philosophy, and psychology. It equips readers with analytical tools to explore various forms of multilingualism and encourages critical thinking through discussion questions and problems at the end of each chapter, making it a comprehensive resource for understanding language in a dynamic global context.

Examining the stereotype of Japan as the world's most polite country, this book delves into the acquisition and expression of proper conduct. It highlights the tension between traditional Japanese values of courtesy, politeness, and civility, and Western concepts of society, freedom, and individuality. Through this exploration, it offers insights into the cultural dynamics that shape social interactions in Japan, revealing the complexities behind its reputation for politeness.

Delving into the multifaceted roles of writing and written language, this work examines their profound impacts on language development, societal structures, economic systems, and political dynamics. It offers insights into how written communication shapes human interaction and influences various aspects of life, highlighting the intricate connections between literacy and cultural evolution.

A tour de force. The book includes discussions of all the latest trends, such as multilingualism on the internet and urban youth language, and weaves them seamlessly into existing research traditions. It covers a whole gamut of social and individual aspects of the subject with clarity, erudition, and panache. It is a first-class teaching tool, offering relevant discussion points after each chapter. Above all, it is a pleasure to read. Penelope Gardner-Chloros, Birkbeck, University of London

Globalization has many faces. One of them is the transformation of language regimes. This book provides an in-depth account of how two second-tier languages, Japanese and German, are affected by this process. In the international arena, they no longer compete with English, but their status in their home countries and as foreign languages in third countries is in flux. Original empirical and theoretical contributions are presented in this up-to-date study of language regime change. The desirability of a single all-purpose language for all communication needs is seldom questioned. It is simply taken for granted in many advanced countries, such as Japan and the German-speaking countries. However, it is not clear whether German and Japanese can sustain their full functional potential if their own speakers use these languages in certain domains with decreasing frequency. The advantages of borderless communication in a single language, on one hand, and maintaining highly cultivated all-purpose languages, on the other, are obvious. The question of whether and how these two principles can be reconciled in the age of globalization is not. In this book, leading scholars present their answers: Ulrich Ammon, Tessa Carroll, Nanette Gottlieb, Patrick Heinrich, Takao Katsuragi, John Maher, Kiyoshi Hara, Elmar Holenstein, Konrad Ehlich, Fumio Inoue, and Florian Coulmas.