Critical sociolinguistics has emerged as a significant subfield within language studies, drawing from traditions such as critical discourse analysis (Fairclough Reference Fairclough1992), linguistic anthropology (Heller Reference Heller2010), and political economy perspectives on language (Block et al. Reference Block, Gray and Holborow2012). While earlier sociolinguistic research largely focused on language variation and social stratification (Labov Reference Labov and Labov1972), contemporary approaches emphasize the role of language in reproducing power structures, economic inequalities, and ideological control. Recent scholarship has examined how language policies intersect with nationalism (Piller Reference Piller2015), how multilingualism is commodified under neoliberalism (Sharma and Phyak Reference Sharma and Phyak2017), and how digital platforms reshape linguistic hierarchies (Blommaert Reference Blommaert2010). Within this evolving landscape, Critical Sociolinguistics: Dialogues, Dissonances, Developments seeks to advance critical sociolinguistic inquiry by bringing together researchers from diverse theoretical and geographical backgrounds. The volume explores the ontological foundations of critical sociolinguistics, its institutional manifestations, and its engagement with identity, activism, and social change. This review examines the content and critically evaluates the book's strengths and weaknesses, focusing on its depth of analysis, practical insights, and theoretical contributions.

The book is divided into four sections: Lenses and Ontologies, Apparatuses and Instantiations, Processes of Differentiation and Prefigurations and Utopias. Each section delves into the various dimensions of critical sociolinguistics through different theoretical and geographical lenses. The first section establishes the theoretical framework of the volume. Ndhlovu, Ngue Um and Unamuno examine the imperative to decolonize sociolinguistic research, challenging Eurocentric epistemologies. Costa, Lauria, Lorente and Sokolovska historicize critical sociolinguistics, arguing for greater reflexivity in how the field constructs its own intellectual lineage. Lo and Bell discuss ethnography as a methodological approach, while Barakos, Bonnin and Pájaro explore the ever-evolving nature of discourse analysis. Sabaté–Dalmau and Flubacher advocate for a political economy perspective, emphasizing how linguistic practices are embedded in global economic structures. Abdelhay, Del Percio and Pennycook propose a materialist approach to sociolinguistics, examining how language is entangled with governance, revolution, and material conditions.

The second section shifts from theory to institutional applications. Del Percio, Motobayashi, He, Tay and Tebaldi analyze how state policies regulate language and reinforce nationalist ideologies. Garrido and Daveluy explore linguistic mobility across national borders, problematizing essentialist understandings of linguistic identity. Codó and Karlander address the relationship between power and critique, while Chun, Deumert, Muth and Park investigate how capitalism shapes linguistic markets. Allan, Cavanaugh, Hassemer and Kraft examine the role of language in contemporary labor conditions. Urbain and Fabrício analyze media discourse during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting how public debates on truckers’ protests were shaped by linguistic framing and ideological positioning. Zimmermann, Delfino, Sunyol i Garcia–Moreno and Bagwasi discuss language struggles in education, drawing on their experiences as women academics.

The third section focuses on identity, authenticity, and linguistic hierarchies. Atanga, Moyer, Pérez–Milans, Pillai and Salonga explore how discourse constructs identity across different sociolinguistic spaces. Brennan, Chun, Dlaske, Karrebæk and Rambukwella critically interrogate the concept of linguistic authenticity, questioning how it is socially constructed and politically mobilized. LeBlanc, Boudreau, Busch and Moïse reflect on their experiences studying language minoritization, offering a collective narrative that situates linguistic research within broader power structures. Zavala and Tupas examine the intersections of ideology, practice, and political economy in bilingualism studies. Duchêne, Martin Rojo, McLaughlin, Phyak and Pietikäinen provide short case studies on social inequalities, illustrating how linguistic differentiation contributes to broader systems of exclusion.

The final section engages with the role of critique and activism in sociolinguistic research. Highet, Makoni, Urciuoli and Urla reflect on the role of critique in dismantling dominant linguistic ideologies. Kanobana, Dołowy–Rybińska, and Pujolar–Cos examine the paradoxes of sociolinguistic activism, questioning how researchers can balance political commitment with academic inquiry. McElhinny concludes the volume with a thought-provoking chapter on the ethics of sociolinguistic research in times of crisis, drawing on ecological metaphors to reimagine sociolinguistic praxis.

One of the book's main strengths lies in its theoretical breadth. By drawing from critical discourse analysis, political economy, linguistic anthropology, and decolonial studies, the volume fosters interdisciplinary dialogue and pushes the boundaries of sociolinguistic inquiry. The emphasis on reflexivity and self-critique is also commendable, as several chapters engage directly with each other's arguments, creating an intellectual dialogue that aligns with the ethos of critical sociolinguistics. Another significant contribution is its engagement with global linguistic inequalities and the political economy of language. Discussions on linguistic capitalism, language commodification, and the intersections of language and labor offer insightful perspectives on how linguistic practices are embedded within global economic structures. The book also foregrounds decolonial perspectives and activist sociolinguistics, emphasizing the role of sociolinguists in challenging hegemonic structures and advocating for social change. Moreover, the book skillfully combines various complex theoretical frameworks. It incorporates postcolonial theory, Marxism and Foucauldian analysis, providing a strong foundation for exploring how language interacts with power systems. The editors have also selected essays that are easy to understand, making the book a good fit for both experienced scholars and graduate students.

Despite these strengths, the book has several notable weaknesses. One key limitation is its lack of sustained engagement with digital sociolinguistics. In an era where digital platforms and AI-driven language technologies are reshaping linguistic hierarchies, the absence of discussion on algorithmic governance, online linguistic activism, and the sociolinguistic implications of digital communication is a significant oversight. Although some chapters touch on media discourse, the broader impact of digital technologies on language practices remains largely unaddressed. The book also leans heavily on Eurocentric frameworks, despite its efforts to include diverse perspectives. Many discussions remain anchored in Global North epistemologies, with limited representation of research from underrepresented regions such as Africa, South Asia and Latin America. A more inclusive approach, incorporating perspectives from scholars working in these contexts, would have strengthened the book's claim to a truly global sociolinguistics. Another notable shortcoming is the lack of a synthesizing conclusion. While the book presents a wide range of theoretical discussions, it does not offer a final chapter that ties together its key themes, contributions, and limitations. This absence leaves the reader without a clear sense of how the various arguments across sections connect or how they collectively advance the field of critical sociolinguistics.

In terms of methodology, the volume is predominantly qualitative, with a strong emphasis on ethnographic and discourse-analytic approaches. While these methodologies are central to critical sociolinguistics, incorporating mixed-methods research or corpus-based analyses could have added empirical depth and demonstrated the versatility of critical approaches beyond purely qualitative frameworks. Moreover, while the book engages extensively with theory, many chapters remain conceptually dense with limited empirical grounding. A greater balance between theoretical discussions and data-driven analyses would have enhanced its applicability, particularly for scholars seeking concrete sociolinguistic case studies. The treatment of intersectionality (Crenshaw Reference Crenshaw1991) also feels somewhat superficial. While the book addresses issues of power, class, and identity, it often treats these dimensions in isolation rather than exploring their intersections. A more robust engagement with intersectionality particularly in relation to race, gender and socioeconomic status would have deepened the analysis of how multiple social factors shape linguistic practices and perceptions.

Additionally, although the book highlights the activist potential of critical sociolinguistics, it remains largely theoretical, with minimal discussion on practical applications. The lack of explicit connections to applied sociolinguistics such as language policy, educational interventions, and community-based linguistic activism limits its relevance beyond academic circles. More concrete discussions on how sociolinguistic critique can translate into actionable change would have strengthened the book's practical impact. Furthermore, the focus tends to remain at the macro level, emphasizing institutional power structures while giving less attention to grassroots linguistic practices. Exploring how marginalized communities navigate, resist and reshape linguistic hierarchies in everyday life would have provided a more nuanced and human-centered perspective on sociolinguistic inequalities (for example, how do individuals in marginalized communities navigate linguistic hierarchies in their daily lives? How do they challenge or subvert these structures through their language choices?) Similarly, while the final section discusses linguistic activism, it lacks a clear roadmap for sociolinguistic interventions in areas such as language rights, labor policies, or linguistic justice movements.

In summary, Critical Sociolinguistics: Dialogues, Dissonances, Developments is a timely and thought-provoking contribution that advances the field by engaging with pressing theoretical, political, and ethical questions. It successfully fosters dialogue among scholars from diverse backgrounds, offering a multiplicity of perspectives on language, power, and social inequality. However, its theoretical density, limited empirical grounding, and lack of digital engagement suggest areas for further development. Despite these limitations, the book remains an essential read for researchers in sociolinguistics and related disciplines who seek to critically examine the socio-political dimensions of language in contemporary society.