Le Page’s theoretical and applied legacy in sociolinguistics and creole studies

This paper reviews Robert B. Le Page’s contributions to creole linguistics, sociolinguistics, and applied linguistics, combining a critical and academic viewpoint with the personal perspective of a sociolinguist whose career and work have been deeply influenced by Le Page. The conclusion reflects on how linguists and educators can ideally build on Le Page’s legacy. Following his example, we can make our most useful contributions by continuing to make sociolinguistic research bear on curricula in schools and universities. Meanwhile, the field of Caribbean sociolinguistics continues to offer vast opportunity for original empirical research and theoretical thinking that should develop and supersede Le Page’s most lasting contribution in this area, the Acts of Identity model.