Studies in Language Variation

This new book series deals with language variation, defined as either variation across related varieties of a language (‘dialect variation’, ‘microvariation’ or ‘intersystemic’ variation) or ‘inherent’, quantitative variation (‘intrasystemic’ variation). This pertains to variation in any relevant language component: phonetics/phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics.

Topics for the series include: variation as well as change at the speech community level (‘Labovian’ sociolinguistics); levelling between standard and regional varieties and between regional varieties; dialect supralocalisation – the loss of distinctiveness at the local level; dialect contact – causes; linguistic effects, such as koineisation; dialect divergence; language variation and identity; social psychology and variation; empirical basis for speech community models, e.g., standard–regional standard–dialect, and changes in these alignments; variation and change in standard varieties; varieties and social styles making use of nonstandard variants; standardization / destandardization; typological differences between related language varieties.

The series aims to include empirical studies of linguistic variation as well as its description, explanation and interpretation in structural, social and cognitive terms. The series will cover any relevant subdiscipline: sociolinguistics, contact linguistics, dialectology, historical linguistics, theory-driven approaches, anthropology/anthropological linguistics. The emphasis will be on linguistic aspects and on the interaction between linguistic and extralinguistic aspects — not on extralinguistic aspects (including language ideology, policy etc.) as such.

Work published in the series can be either relatively descriptive/data-oriented or more theory oriented (both formal and functional). Both contemporary and historical variation will be included; with respect to historical variation, the emphasis will be on processes of language change, rather than on the outcomes of such processes. Studies which convincingly combine different perspectives will be especially welcomed.

This peer reviewed series will include monographs, thematic collections of articles, and reference works in the relevant areas.

Invitation for proposals

Book proposals are invited. They should follow the guidelines specified on the John Benjamins Publishing Company website, and be sent to one of the editors:

Peter Auer, Universität Freiburg, Deutsches Seminar I, D-79085 Freiburg, Germany; peter.auergermanistik.uni-freiburg.de

Frans Hinskens Meertens Institute and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, P.O.Box 94264, NL-1090 GG Amsterdam, The Netherlands; frans.hinskensmeertens.knaw.nl

Paul Kerswill Lancaster University, Department of Linguistics and English Language, LA1 4YT, U.K.; p.kerswilllancaster.ac.uk