Beginning Linguistics

Description

In this core textbook, Laurie Bauer's engaging style brings linguistics to life and introduces readers to the fundamentals of the subject. Each essential area of linguistics is dealt with in turn, thereby providing readers with a clear and comprehensive overview of all the core topics, including semantics, syntax, phonology and pragmatics. Alongside definitions of key terms and explanations of how various issues slot together, this text also empowers readers by teaching them how to apply their knowledge to new data. Richly illustrated with examples from multiple languages and packed with interactive activities, this user-friendly book helps readers to master the basics and sets them up for further study in the field. This is an invaluable resource for those studying linguistics for the very first time. Equally, it provides a firm reference point for those with more experience in the field.

LAURIE BAUER Professor in the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. His publications include Introducing Linguistic Morphology (second edition, 2003) Introduction to International Varieties of English, (2002) Language Matters (with Janet Holmes and Paul Warren, Palgrave 2006) and The Linguistic Student's Handbook (2007).

'This is an accessible, contemporary text for Linguistics and English Language students. It contains examples from a wide range of languages, with ample, engaging exercises to reinforce the major topics and a wealth of suggested readings to take students beyond the basics.' - Kristine Hildebrandt, Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature, Southern Illinois University, USA. 'This engaging and accessible textbook gives a solid introduction to linguistics by drawing on data from a wide range of languages. It teaches linguistics at the same time as it teaches how to do linguistics and it will be extremely useful for my classes.' - Gisela Hakansson, Professor of Linguistics, Lund University, Sweden