24.1491, Review: General Linguistics; Sociolinguistics: Gordon (2012)

Wed Apr 3 02:19:43 UTC 2013

LINGUIST List: Vol-24-1491. Tue Apr 02 2013. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 24.1491, Review: General Linguistics; Sociolinguistics: Gordon (2012)

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Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:19:20
From: Alyson Sewell [amsewell at wisc.edu]
Subject: Labov

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Book announced at http://linguistlist.org/issues/23/23-5339.html

AUTHOR: Matthew J. Gordon
TITLE: Labov
SUBTITLE: A Guide for the Perplexed
SERIES TITLE: Guides for the Perplexed
PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury Linguistics (formerly Continuum Linguistics)
YEAR: 2012

REVIEWER: Alyson Sewell, University of Wisconsin Madison

SUMMARY

This new volume in the ‘Guide for the Perplexed’ series addresses these
questions: Who is William Labov?; and What is the significance of his work?
For over four decades, Labov has influenced the field of linguistics, changing
not only how scholars think about language, but also shaping the perceptions
of politicians, policy makers and nonspecialists well beyond the academic
community. In nine chapters, Matthew Gordon summarizes and contextualizes the
ideas and approaches developed by Labov. This book thus serves as an
introduction to Labov’s work for students and readers “who have not yet had
the pleasure of studying linguistics” while also highlighting Labov’s
contributions and legacy for scholars and linguists who may be more familiar
with his work but desire a kind of “Best of Labov” collection (4).

Chapter 1 (“The Challenges of Labov”) introduces the reader to William Labov
and provides an overview of “how sociolinguistics differs from linguistics in
general, and how the variationist approach differs from others in
sociolinguistics” (6-7). Gordon first sets up the rational for this guide by
discussing how Labov’s work may be challenging to readers outside
sociolinguistics and linguistics altogether due to his emphasis on the social
dimensions of language, his vast body of publications in a variety of
subfields, and his use of technical jargon and mathematical formulas. A short
biography of Labov follows, which chronicles his birth in 1927 through his
experiences as an undergraduate student, industrial chemist, and academic.
Gordon describes how Labov can be labeled a linguist, sociolinguist, and
variationist, and he juxtaposes Labov’s methods and insistence on the study of
language in social context with the practices of dialect geographers and the
dominant thinking in linguistics in the 1960s (as exemplified by the positions
of Noam Chomsky). Then, the author sketches a history of the study of
variation and the field of sociolinguistics, with an accompanying survey of
research on language and society within neighboring disciplines (such as
sociology and anthropology). A characterization of ‘Labovian sociolinguistics’
and an overview of the structure of this book end the chapter.

In Chapter 2 (“Linguistics and sociolinguistics before Labov”), Gordon defines
key concepts of linguistics and outlines how linguists were approaching the
study of variation in theory and practice before Labov entered the field.
Sections discussing linguistics as “the science of language” (22) and
linguists as scientists who describe language and develop theories to account
for their observations are intended to give readers new to the field the
necessary background information that will allow them to contextualize Labov’s
approach and its significance to the field. Phonology, morphology, semantics
and syntax are presented as rule-governed components of a larger language
system, followed by a more thorough discussion of concepts in phonetics and
phonology (which are the main areas Labov has focused on in his research).
After first discussing how linguistic variation was typically seen as “a
challenge to be overcome rather than a resource to draw on,” (31) Gordon
discusses how the field of dialect geography was an exception to that rule,
and how Labov differed from dialect geographers in both the questions he
pursued and the methods he employed.

Chapter 3 (“How to establish a field as a graduate student”) focuses on the
significance of Labov’s Master’s thesis study, which treated an active sound
change on Martha’s Vineyard (1963/1972), and his doctoral dissertation on the
social stratification of New York City speech (1966/2006). The methods and
ideas used and introduced in these two studies, which are ranked among Labov’s
most commonly cited works, are described in detail.

A general characterization of Labov’s variationist approach is presented in
Chapter 4 (“A variationist approach to language”), with an emphasis on how
this approach differs from others. After pointing out that the guiding
principles of what came to be known as the variationist approach are outlined
in the landmark paper by Uriel Weinreich, Marvin Herzog and Labov, titled
“Empirical foundations for a theory of language change” (1968), Gordon centers
his discussion around the three key tenets of the “Labovian paradigm”: i.
variation is inherent to linguistic structure; ii. socially realistic
linguistics offers valuable insights to the study of language; iii.
quantitative methods can reveal patterns where casual observation sees only
chaos (78). The idea of ‘orderly heterogeneity’ and concepts such as
‘linguistic variable rules’ and ‘speech communities’ are introduced, with
examples of how these notions play a role in Labov’s work. This chapter
concludes with a focus on methods that Labov used to explore the study of
structured linguistic variation in ‘socially realistic’ and quantifiable ways.

Chapter 5 (“Speech styles and discourse”) begins the exploration of Labov’s
contributions in a range of areas by first examining his work on stylistic
variation and discourse analysis. Since his graduate studies, Labov has been
investigating how individual speakers vary in their language use. Types of
intra-individual variation are associated with different styles and contexts
of use, and Gordon outlines how Labov approached the study of style in his
work on New York City and Philadelphia English (Labov 2006). A description
follows of the ‘sociolinguistic interview,’ which Labov developed and used to
elicit speech produced in a variety of contextual styles.  Gordon then lays
out insights gained from the study of style shifting, showing how Labov
investigated style in conjunction with other types of sociolinguistic
variation, resulting in findings that informed theories on language
systematicity and how social awareness of language use affects language
change. The chapter concludes with critiques and expansions of Labov’s work on
style, which are followed up by an examination of Labov’s influential
contributions to the study of narratives and interactive talk.

The focus of Chapter 6 (“The ‘socio’ of sociolinguistics”) is on Labov’s
explorations of and theories on the role that social factors play in shaping
language variation and change. Gordon first sketches a general model of how
social parameters contribute to sociolinguistic variation, explaining that
different linguistic structures convey different information about the
speaker, the setting, and the context in general, such that speakers can use
language in order to actively construct their social identities. The remainder
of the chapter is organized around the broadly defined social variables of
‘social class,’ ‘gender’ and ‘ethnicity.’ Gordon discusses how each of these
social categories is measured and dealt with in Labov’s research.
Additionally, some of the insights gained from Labov’s work on correlations
between speech and social variables are laid out, such as how studying class-
and gender-based variation informs our understanding of language change. While
acknowledging the significance of the general patterns Labov uncovered and the
general principles he formulated based on the observation of those patterns,
Gordon ends by discussing the criticisms of Labov’s approach to the
interaction of social and linguistic variables, noting a move away from using
predetermined, broad social categories and a “radical reframing of
variationist methodology” (158).

Chapter 7 (“Labov as historical linguist”) examines Labov’s contributions to
the study of language change. As a topic that’s been central to Labov’s
research agenda throughout his career, from his graduate studies to his
three-volume “Principles of Linguistic Change” (1994, 2001, 2010), Gordon
connects Labov’s interest in historical linguistics with his investigations of
language variation, noting that “change is essentially variation projected in
the temporal dimension” (161). In addition to highlighting Labov’s
methodological innovations and key insights offered to the study of linguistic
change, this chapter provides examples of how his approach of “using the
present to explain the past” (1994) sheds light on traditional topics and
long-standing questions of interest to various types of linguists. In
particular, a description of Labov’s work on ‘change in progress’ and how his
findings inform our understanding of the mechanisms that drive language change
are followed by a discussion of general models and theories Labov has
formulated in order to describe and account for how sounds (and potentially
other areas of language) change as a result of social and linguistic factors.
The chapter concludes by introducing “The Atlas of North American English”
(ANAE), with over 120 maps charting the results of a survey (that Labov
directed) of sound patterns across the USA and Canada (Labov et al. 2006).
Providing an updated picture of the regional dialects of North American
English, the ANAE allows for analysis of longer-term diachronic trends and
predictions about potential changes in progress, displaying once again how
Labov’s innovative theories and methods provide a new perspective to the study
of language change.

Labov’s impact beyond linguistics is exemplified in Chapter 8 (“African
American English: Lessons learned, lessons taught”). After some preliminary
remarks on the features of African American English, Gordon reviews Labov’s
engagement with linguistic and social issues related to the language of the
African American speech community (192). African American English has been an
aspect of Labov’s research since his dissertation and has played a role in
shaping the methods and theories that he developed. In addition to generating
valuable insights about language by studying African American English, Labov
and others worked to challenge negative attitudes toward nonstandard dialects
by advocating for the logical and structured nature of nonstandard speech and
publically confronting misconceptions about these varieties. A discussion of
Labov’s role in two legal cases (in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1977, and in
Oakland, California in 1996) is followed by a description of Labov’s research
on reading and how it shaped educational policy. Finally, Gordon reports on
ways that the study of African American English can inform our understanding
of general linguistic issues, such as the distinctness of grammatical systems,
the formation of creoles, and changes within contact varieties.

The book ends with an examination of Labov’s revolutionary ideas, methods, and
approaches more than fifty years after he first starting researching in the
field of linguistics. In Chapter 9 (“The revolution at 50”), Gordon details
how researchers continue to use Labov’s approaches and test his theories,
methods, and models on data from different populations (Gordon 2001;
Baranowski 2007; McCarthy 2011). Additionally, new avenues of research that
were directly shaped by Labov’s work, such as sociophonetics and perceptual
dialectology, are discussed, followed by a survey of recent trends in the
study of the relationship between language and social meaning (cf. Eckert
2012). Gordon concludes with a short summary of Labov’s contributions to the
study of language and society, encouraging readers to engage further with
Labov’s work and sociolinguistics more broadly.

EVALUATION

This book is intended to serve as a guide to the work of William Labov for
nonspecialists, high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students
and scholars working in sociolinguistics, sociophonetics, historical
linguistics, sociology, anthropology, theoretical linguistics, phonetics,
phonology, and conversation and discourse analysis.

Noteworthy features of this book, which will be extremely helpful for readers
who may not be familiar with the field of linguistics, are the discussions of
basic concepts in linguistics and how these concepts relate to Labov’s work.
Gordon provides detailed yet concise explanations of the technical vocabulary,
figures and tables, and studies he references, making excellent use of
footnotes in each chapter to provide clarification and recommendations on
where the reader can turn for a more thorough discussion of certain topics.

A convenient overview of ideas and approaches developed by Labov over the
course of his career, this book has value for readers more experienced with
his work. As a fourth-year graduate student who has encountered Labov’s work
in courses on historical linguistics, psycholinguistics, and societal
bilingualism, I greatly appreciated this synthesis of Labov’s contributions.
Gordon’s descriptions of how academia and society have responded to Labov’s
findings and views highlight the significance of his methods, theories,
conclusions and actions. It became clear to me that Labov has not only
researched across a variety of different subfields in linguistics, but that
he’s also challenged old traditions and views in each of these fields, taken
criticism, gained followers, and greatly influenced the way people think about
language and society for over fifty years.

Gordon has created a cohesive chronology in biographical form. Beginning with
Labov’s life before linguistics (Chapter 1) and the state of linguistics
before he entered the field (Chapter 2), Gordon then discusses Labov’s first
academic works (Chapter 3) and then his works in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s
(Chapters 4-8), before concluding with remarks on Labov’s legacy in the 2000s
and 2010s (Chapter 9). The structure of the whole book therefore helps the
reader to conceptualize Labov’s work within the history of linguistics and the
relationships between various milestones throughout his career.

Gordon describes how “at the banquet of Linguistics 101, sociolinguistics is
not usually served as an entrée but rather as something between a condiment
and a tasty side dish” (2). This book, however, emphasizes why every person
interested in language should know who William Labov is and understand how his
methods and approaches (and those of sociolinguistics in general) shed light
on language structure, change, use and perception in society.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable resource for anyone who has ever felt
perplexed by the breadth of Labov’s work and the impact of his research on
academics and society at large. It provides nonspecialists, beginning
researchers, and veterans in the field of linguistics with a new perspective
on the methods and approaches of William Labov and will be the book I
recommend to my family, friends and students when they ask me what it means to
study sociolinguistics and why we do it.

REFERENCES

Baranowski, Maciej. 2007. Phonological Variation and Change in the Dialect of
Charleston, South Carolina. (Publications of the American Dialect Society 92).
Durham: Duke University Press.

Eckert, Penelope. 2012. Three waves of variation study: The emergence of
meaning in the study of sociolinguistic variation. Annual Review of
Anthropology 41. 87-100.

Gordon, Matthew J. 2001. Small-Town Values and Big-City Vowels: A Study of the
Northern Cities Shift in Michigan. (Publications of the American Dialect
Society 84). Durham: Duke University Press.

Labov, William. 1963. The social motivation of a sound change. Word 19.
273-309.

Labov, William. 1966/2006. The Social Stratification of English in New York
City, 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Labov, William. 1972. Sociolinguistic Patterns. Philadelphia University of
Pennsylvania Press.

Labov, William. 1994. Principles of Linguistic Change (Vol. 1: Internal
Factors). Oxford: Blackwell.

Labov, William. 2001. Principles of Linguistic Change (Vol. 2: Social
Factors). Malden: Blackwell.

Labov, William, Sharon Ash & Charles Boberg. 2006. The Atlas of North American
English: Phonology and Sound Change. Berlin” Mouton de Gruyter.

Labov, William. 2010. Principles of Linguistic Change (Vol. 3: Cognitive and
Cultural Factors). Malden: Wiley-Blackwell.

McCarthy, Corrine. 2011. The Northern Cities Shift in Chicago. Journal of
English Linguistics 39. 166-187.

Weinriech, Uriel, William Labov & Marvin Herzog. 1968. Empirical foundations
for a theory of language change. In Lehmann, Winfred & Yakov Malkiel (eds.),
Directions for Historical Linguistics, 95-188. Austin: University of Texas
Press.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Alyson Sewell is a PhD student in the Department of German at the University
of Wisconsin - Madison. Her current research interests include heritage
language linguistics, with a focus on sociolinguistic variation and narrative
strategies in multilingual communities, especially within Wisconsin.

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