The Study of Language

by George Yule

• ISBN13: 9780521568517
• ISBN10: 052156851X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-06-28
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This revised and updated edition incorporates many changes that reflect developments in language study over the past decade. There is an entirely new chapter on pragmatics, with an expansion of the chapter on semantics. The explosion of interest in many of the 'applied' areas of language study is also reflected in additional sections on speech recognition systems, sign languages, women's and men's language, input in language learning, and several other topics. The Study Questions and Discussion Topics have also been thoroughly revised; and the Further Reading sections have been revised, updated and expanded. The presentation retains the clear and lively style which made the first edition a hugely popular introduction to the study of language.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Preface to second edition	xiii
The origins of language	1	(8)
The development of writing	9	(10)
The properties of language	19	(11)
Animals and human language	30	(10)
The sounds of language	40	(13)
The sound patterns of language	53	(10)
Words and word-formation processes	63	(11)
Morphology	74	(12)
Phrases and sentences; grammar	86	(14)
Syntax	100	(14)
Semantics	114	(13)
Pragmatics	127	(12)
Discourse analysis	139	(12)
Language and machines	151	(11)
Language and the brain	162	(13)
First language acquisition	175	(15)
Second language acquisition/learning	190	(12)
Sign language	202	(11)
Language history and change	213	(13)
Language varieties	226	(13)
Language, society and culture	239	(15)
Appendix Suggested answers to study questions	254	(7)
References	261	(25)
Index	286