Understanding Language A Basic Course in Linguistics

by Winkler, Elizabeth

• ISBN13: 9781441138965
• ISBN10: 144113896X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-03-29
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

This book is a beautifully organized, clear and readable introduction to the field of linguistics. The writing is lively and interesting, while at the same time presenting complex and often technical ideas in a manner that's both accurate and accessible. Students brand new to the discipline will enjoy reading this book, and linguists who teach introductory courses will benefit from its clear and direct explanations.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	p. ix
Preface	p. x
Acknowledgements	p. xii
Defining and Acquiring Language
What Every Native Speaker Secretly Understands	p. 3
Human Language versus Animal Communication Systems	p. 32
Language Acquisition	p. 49
Structures of Language
Phonetics	p. 83
Morphology: The Structure of Words	p. 109
Grammar	p. 136
The History of English	p. 166
Language in Use
Semantics: Language and Meaning	p. 197
Pragmatics: Language in Use	p. 221
Electronic-Mediated Communication and Its Effects on Language	p. 244
Language Variation and Change	p. 260
Bibliography	p. 319
Index	p. 323
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