Full Description
This introductory textbook on the structure of English gives a comprehensive, descriptive grammar of contemporary standardized and non-standardized American English dialects. It helps students understand, analyze, and appreciate grammatical patterns from a variety of American dialects, including African American English, Appalachian English, Chicano English, and Southern American English—deepening students' comprehension of grammar and their analytical skills.
Grammatical structures and features are introduced iteratively and illustrated through numerous examples, which showcase various dialect features. Students are encouraged to treat these examples as linguistic data sets and to investigate them like language detectives. The authors guide students from initial observations to full explanations of terms, concepts, and features. Providing ample practice and iterative exercises, as well as suggestions for real-world application, Foundations of Grammar introduces students to the rigorous study of grammar and promotes appreciation for a variety of dialects, particularly those that are stigmatized. Recommended readings and ideas for student projects are provided in a companion website that also offers resources for instructors.
This groundbreaking exploration of American English grammar challenges prevailing myths about grammar, promotes awareness of linguistic diversity, and invites readers to think critically about their own English dialects.
Contents
List of Figures
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
1. Which Englishes Do You Speak?
2. Becoming Fluent in Linguistics: Foundations for Grammar
3. Not Just 'Things:' The Noun
4. Enter Modifiers for Detail: Part 1 - Adjectives
5. Enter Modifiers for Detail: Part 2 - Adverbs
6. (Em)Powering the Clause: The Verb
7. Lending a helping hand: the Auxiliary Verb
8. Respectfully Replacing Nouns: The Pronoun
9. Connecting Everything: Functional Word Categories
10. How Words Stick Together: The Case for Phrases
11. How phrases stick together: Sentence Patterns
12. Time and time again: Tense, Aspect, and Finiteness
13. Are You Talkin' to Me? Mood and Voice
14. To Be Or Not To Be: Coordination and Subordination
15. Stop, Pause, Consider: The Role of Punctuation
Answer key
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
