This second edition has provided us with the opportunity to respond to some of the suggestions and comments made by readers of the original text published in 1998. To this end, we have aimed as far as possible to correct errors and clarify explanations wherever necessary. We have also updated suggestions for further reading following each chapter as well as the bibliographical references at the end of the book. The second edition has also been expanded in some chapters to allow the incorporation of new sections illustrating changes taking place in relation to the German language over the past ten years. Although revisions have been made throughout the book, particular examples of interest may include the section on ‘Contemporary language debates’ in chapter 2, which introduces discussions of language and sexism, the recent reform of German orthography and linguistic purism. In addition, there is a new section on the ‘German language and the internet’ in chapter 10, illustrating some of the changes affecting the German language in the context of recent technological innovations. Finally, this new edition has allowed us to update facts and figures about the German language and its speakers which have taken place over the past decade.