This introduction to linguistics for the absolute beginner focuses on the core topics of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Theoretically-neutral, each essential topic is covered in depth and the author's engaging style encourages interaction from students by using regular short questions to check comprehension.

The book that tells you all the things you felt you were expected to know about linguistics, but were afraid to ask about. * What do you know about Burushaski and Miwok? * What's the difference between paradigmatic and syntagmatic? * What is E-language? * What is a language? * Do parentheical and non-restrictive mean the same thing? * How do you write a bibliographic entry for a work you have not seen? Every student who has asked these questions needs this book. A compendium of useful things for linguistics students to know, from the IPA chart to Saussurean dichotomies, this book will be the constant companion of anyone undertaking studies of linguistics. Part reference work, part revision guide, and with tables providing summary information on some 280 languages, the book provides a new learning tool as a supplement to the usual textbooks and glossaries.

Product Description: From "abbreviation" and "abessive" to "zero morph" and "zero-derivation," this invaluable little glossary translates complicated morphology terms and phrases into clear definitions. It covers both traditional and contemporary terminology, explaining fundamental terms in a comprehensive way for the beginner and revealing theoretical assumptions behind the labels for the more advanced reader...read more

(view table of contents)

Product Description: This book looks at native speaker varieties of English, considering how and why they differ in terms of their pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and spelling. It shows how the major national varieties of English have developed, why similar causes have given rise to different effects in different parts of the world, and how the same problems of description arise in relation to all 'colonial' Englishes...read more

Routledge Language Workbooks are practical introductions to specific areas of language for absolute beginners. They provide comprehensive coverage of the area as well as a basis for further study. Language Workbooks can be used for independent study or as part of a taught class.Vocabulary:* covers issues such as the power of words to influence our perceptions* looks at the origins of words from English and other languages* explores the relationships between the meanings and shapes of words* examines the correlation of different kinds of words with different style levels* uses striking and entertaining examples to make fundamental points about the words we use* lays the groundwork for further study in morphology, lexical semantics, historical linguistics and lexicography.

Product Description: Morphological productivity has, over the centuries, been a major factor in providing the huge vocabulary of English and remains one of the most contested areas in the study of word formation and structure. This book takes an eclectic approach to the topic, applying the findings for morphology to syntax and phonology...read more

Product Description: Interest in word-formation is probably as old as interest in language itself. As Dr Bauer points out in his Introduction, many of the questions that scholars are asking now were also being asked in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)