'Peter Trudgill's ability to present such a broad selection of topics in a scholarly and accessible way makes this book an ideal companion for anyone who wants to explore languages and how they work.' David Crystal, author of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language
'Peter Trudgill is one of the world's most eminent sociolinguists, and an outstanding ambassador for the subject within the wider community. His work over many years has transformed our understanding of the social functioning of speech. This collection of essays, originally written for a general audience, display his characteristic linking of accessibility, social commitment, and deep scholarship, and anyone who reads them, however expert, will learn a great deal.' Jeremy Smith, University of Glasgow
'… a treasure house offering one serendipitous adventure after another … Highly recommended.' A. P. Church, Choice Connect