Review
'Very clear and easy to read for beginners; user-friendly and non-threatening to those nervous of linguistics; chapters in absorbable bite-size chunks.' Jean Aitchison, Rupert Murdoch Professor of Language and Communication, University of Oxford

'Perfect for the beginners' level introductory linguistics course, both in style and content. The exercises and discussion are excellent. One of the highlights of the book is the clear links between chapters.' Hugh Buckingham, Professor of Linguistics, Louisiana State University

'An impressive breadth of coverage ... clear presentation, lucid style and accessibility ... a solid foundation for further study in linguistics as well as being a pleasure to read in its own right.' Alan Smith, Web Journal of Modern Languages and Linguistics



Product Description
Designed for beginners, this best-selling textbook provides a thorough introduction to the study of language. It introduces the analysis of the key elements of language--sounds, words, structures and meanings, and provides a solid foundation in all of the essential topics. The third edition has been extensively revised to include new sections on important contemporary issues in language study, including language and culture, African American English, sign language, and slang. A comprehensive glossary provides useful explanations of technical terms, and each chapter contains a range of new study questions and research tasks, with suggested answers.