An Introduction to Language and Linguistics

A clear and up-to-date introduction to linguistics.

Ralph W. Fasold (Edited by), Jeff Connor-Linton (Edited by)

9781107637993, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 September 2014

576 pages, 110 b/w illus. 1 map 15 tables 140 exercises
24.5 x 18.9 x 2.5 cm, 1.2 kg

'We appreciate the accessible writing style of the book as well as all the supplementary materials than will support our teaching (incl. discussion questions and tasks for every chapter). We have decided to adopt this textbook for our class in addition to other materials to cater to less experienced MA students, as this book generally rather seems to be addressed to undergrad level students.' Christina Nelson, Bonn University

A clear and up-to-date introduction to linguistics. This best-selling textbook addresses the full scope of language, from the traditional subjects of structural linguistics (relating to sound, form, meaning and language change) to the more specialised subjects of contextual linguistics (including discourse, dialect variation, language and culture, and the politics of language). There are also separate chapters on language and the brain, computational linguistics, writing, and first and second language learning. Extensively classroom-tested, this second edition has been revised to further support student learning, with numerous new examples, exercises and textboxes to model and contextualise key concepts. Updated throughout to incorporate contemporary issues and events, it includes worked examples of phonological analyses and multiple examples of a variety of World Englishes. A rich collection of online resources completes the learning package.

Introduction
1. The sounds of language
2. Words and their parts
3. The structure of sentences
4. Meaning
5. Discourse
6. Child language acquisition
7. Language and the brain
8. Language change
9. Dialect variation
10. Language and culture
11. The politics of language
12. Writing
13. Second language acquisition
14. Computational linguistics
Glossary.

Subject Areas: Linguistics [CF]