The English Language and Linguistics Companion

by Finch, Geoffrey; Allan, Keith; Heydon, Georgina; Bradshaw, Julie; Burridge, Kate

• ISBN13: 9781403989710
• ISBN10: 1403989710
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-05-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Interested in discovering how language works? Daunted by the prospect of studying linguistics at university? The English Language and Linguistics Companionis a tool-kit for the novice linguist. Integrating study skills with substantive coverage,it offers an innovative approach to the study of English language and linguistics, helping students see how their chosen discipline ‘fits together'.A one-stop resource, this practical and highly accessible guide: Provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary approaches to the study of language and outlines the contribution of significant scholars to the development of the field Introduces the core topics and concepts of linguistics and the study of language including: the study of the sounds used in human languages, the analysis of the structure of words, phrases, sentences, and longer texts, and the exploration of the ways in which meaning is expressed in language Summarizes key issues in applied linguistics, including work in the areas of first and second language acquisition and forensic linguistics Defines and illustrates the key terms and concepts in the discipline of linguistics Offers practical advice on the skills required when studying linguistics and suggests a range of possible career pathways Illustrates approaches to linguistic research and recommends resources for linguistic inquiry and the study of languagePacked full of information and guidance, this is an essential resource for prospective linguistics students and anyone with an interest in the study of language.

Author Biography

GEOFF FINCH has taught English at universities in New Zealand and Nigeria and is Senior Lecturer in English at Anglia Polytechnic University.KEITH ALLAN is Reader in Linguistics at Monash University, Australia. His research focuses on aspects of meaning in Language and his publications include Forbidden Words: Taboo and the Censoring of Language (Cambridge University Press).
GEORGINA HEYDON is a researcher, JULIE BRADSHAW is Lecturer, and KATE BURRIDGE is Professor of Linguistics, all at Monash University, Australia.

Table of Contents

Studying Language

Approaching Language Study

Skills Career Pathways - linguists at work

Core Topics in English Language and Linguistics

Phonetics - the science of speech sounds

Phonology - sound systems in languages

Morphology - word structures Syntax

Fundamentals of Semantics and Pragmatics

Meanings, Maxims and Speech Acts Sociolinguistics

Psycholinguistics Applied linguistics Historical linguistics

Stylistics Discourse and conversation Corpus linguistics

Digital tools in linguistics Forensic linguistics From pictures to writing

Key Terms and Concepts

Key Linguists

Conducing Research and Identifying

Resources Index

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