Sociolinguistics in Ireland takes a fresh look at the interface of language and society in present-day Ireland. In a series of specially commissioned chapters it examines the relationship of the Irish and English languages and traces their dynamic development both in history and at present.

Raymond Hickey studied at Trinity College, Dublin and in Kiel, Germany. He has held professorial appointments at four German universities. His main research interests are sociolinguistics, varieties of English, eighteenth century English, the Irish language alongside general questions of language contact and change on which he has published widely.