A Winning Dialect: Reinventing Linguistic Tradition in Rural Norway

“A Winning Dialect is a beautifully written and eloquent ethnographic portrait of linguistic enregisterment, commodification, and innovation that will resonate with anyone interested in how local language varieties can and do thrive in the face of global pressures to shift to dominant languages in order to compete in more global markets.” Barbra A. Meek, Professor of Anthropology and Linguistics, University of Michigan

“Through the story of Valdres, a small town in the Norwegian countryside, Thea R. Strand shows how social and linguistic change are intertwined. In clear, lively language, she illuminates many of the key concepts and questions of contemporary linguistic anthropology. A Winning Dialect is an excellent introduction to the field.” Monica Heller, University of Toronto

“A heartwarming story. Based on long-term fieldwork, A Winning Dialect deftly guides readers through the complexities – and the kookiness – of language politics and use in Norway: a country where seemingly placid people can become alarmingly fierce when the subject of dialects is raised.” Don Kulick, Hong Kong University and Uppsala University,

“A Winning Dialect is a richly detailed portrayal of the life and language of people in the Valdres valley, showing how and why language and language issues matter. It offers compelling analysis of language politics, language use, and the value of language.” Jillian R. Cavanaugh, Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center, CUNY