“This is a highly engaging text that gives thorough coverage of all aspects of contact linguistics. The writing is clear and concise, and the book presents even complex issues in an entertaining and accessible style. Right from the beginning, Winford makes it clear that the field of study adopts an interdisciplinary approach that draws on theoretical linguistics and theories of second language acquisition, and that these theories are intertwined with sociocultural factors.” (Language Documentation & Conservation)

"The volume's extensive, linguistically detailed coverage will make this a stimulating textbook for upper level students with good prior grounding in linguistics." (Anthropological Linguistics)

"Along with a comprehensive state-of-the-art presentation of the basic theories and notions in this field, Winford's book is an exciting opening to the sophisticated and intricate universe of languages rubbing shoulders throughout the world ... the book contains a wealth of scholarly material and experimental data which allows for broad perception of language contact." (Language Awareness)

"This book is a very good new introduction to language contact, and a must read for all students in the area." (Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development)

"This textbook’s comprehensive survey of language-contact phenomena will greatly facilitate further research on language creation and language change. For instance, Winford's eclectic data samples and much in his discussion of language acquisition in Creole formation will help demystify Creole Exceptionalism – the age-old dogma that Creole languages are phylogenetically and typologically ‘abnormal’. It is thus that creolophones and creolists will be long indebted to Winford's immense scholarship."
–Michel DeGraff, Massachusetts Institute of Technology