ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews past work in sociolinguistics that investigates language use in the media and uses the media to disseminate knowledge about language. The relationship between sociolinguistics and the media can be seen as a mutually reflexive one. The chapter discusses some of the ways in which sociolinguists have proactively made use of the media to disseminate knowledge about language variation for educating traditional students and the wider public. In addition to communicating with the media and introducing media in the classroom, the creation of more documentary films is an excellent way to share findings and they need not be expensive or time-consuming. The chapter focuses on two specific cases: the media representation of Ebonics following the 1996 Oakland School Board controversy, and the debate in the media over terminology to refer to the status of immigrants residing and/or working in the United States without proper authorization.
