The objective of the First International Workshop in Spanish Sociolinguistics (WSS1) held in 2002 was to provide a forum for researchers interested in sociolinguistics using Spanish- language data (or languages in contact with Spanish). Researchers participating in the Second and Third Workshops, held in 2004 at Albany and 2006 at Temple University, respectively, continued the tradition established at WSS1 and presented papers in a single focused session, thereby facilitating an effective interchange of findings. Given the success of the first three encounters, we are pleased to announce the Fourth International Workshop in Spanish Sociolinguistics (WSS4).