Sociolinguistics: The Essential Readings is a collection of classic articles that have helped define the field of sociolinguistics and provide the foundation for future research, paired with more recent articles that indicate the direction the field has taken or the ways in which ideas were elaborated and challenged. These essays provide students with a historical perspective that allows them to understand the intellectual progression of the field by highlighting the practical use of theoretical models and the emergence of controversies and key questions from multiple perspectives. The readings are organized by topics and each section features an editorial introduction, recommendations for further reading, and suggested discussion questions and activities.