The Bilingualism Reader

I used this as a textbook for a Bilingualism course I took in graduate school. Even though this is not my field of research, I am impressed at the breadth of topics that this reader covers. It is very comprehensive, taking in articles dealing with the latest research in every aspect of this branch of linguistics.

The Bilingualism Reader is the only existing reader in the field, a comprehensive collection of the classic articles in the study of bilingualism. Designed to be used as an essential introductory text for students, the reader covers all the key areas in the field. The introduction includes a perceptive discussion of the dimensions of bilingualism by the editor and an article on the description of bilingualism by Mackey. Part one, Sociolinguistic dimensions of bilingualism, is further subdivided into two sections, language choice(with classic articles on diglossia and language choice by Ferguson and Fishman), and bilingual interaction (with articles on code-switching by Blom & Gumperz, Myers-Scotton, Auer, and Wei, Milroy & Ching). Part two, Linguistic dimensions of bilingualism, includes two sections, grammar of code-switching (with articles by Poplack, Clyne, and Myers-Scotton & Jake), and language acquisition of bilingual children (articles by Genesee and Meisel). Part three, Psycholinguistic dimensions of bilingualism,includes articles on the bilingual brain (Obler, Zatorre, Galloway & Vaid,and Paradis), and studies of bilingual speech processing (articles by Green, De Bot, and Grosjean). In the conclusion section the editor discusses methodological questions in the study of bilingualism. The book is wonderfully edited, whereby the reader is guided through different sections all of which contain notes for students and instructors, including study questions and study activities. This outstanding collection of the key articles in the field, accompanied by a critical discussion of today's issues in bilingualism, a comprehensive glossary and an up-to-date resource list, is an essential guide for incoming students and a wonderful resource for bilingualism scholars. (anpavl)

While there are so many different textbooks on bilingualism, this Reader is the one to buy. It contains all the important articles on various aspects of bilingualism that a serious student must read. The study questions and activities are useful as mini-dissertation topics. The chapter on methdology by Li Wei, the editor, is excellent. The resource list is most up-to-date and useful. Do go and buy yourself a copy. It's good value for money.