Description
Now in its sixth edition, A Concise Introduction to Linguistics provides students with a detailed introduction to the core concepts of language as it relates to culture. The textbook includes a focus on linguistic anthropology, unpacking the main contributions of linguistics to the study of human communication and culture. Aimed at the general education student, the textbook also provides anthropology, linguistics, and English majors with the resources needed to pursue advanced courses in this area.
Written in an accessible manner that does not assume previous knowledge of linguistics, this new edition contains expanded discussions on linguistic anthropology, sociolinguistics (including an expanded section on trans and nonbinary language), and pragmatics. The textbook incorporates a robust set of pedagogical features, including marginal definitions, a substantial glossary, chapter summaries, and learning exercises. Brand new to this edition are a full International Phonetic Alphabet chart, new exercises with languages other than English, and new illustrations.
Table of Contents
Preface
1 Introduction: The Nature of Communication
2 Phonetics: The Sounds Used in Languages
3 Phonology: The Sound Patterns Used in Languages
4 Morphology: Words and How they are Formed
5 Syntax: The Larger Patterns of Language
6 Semantics: The Study of Meaning
7 Pragmatics: How Language is Used and The Effect of Context on Meaning
8 Sociolinguistics: Language and Society
9 Linguistic Anthropology: Language and Culture
10 Language Acquisition: How Children (and others) Learn Language
11 Sign Language: The Language of the Deaf Community
12 Writing Systems: The Graphic Representation of Language
13 Nonverbal Communication: Communicating Without Words
14 Historical Linguistics: The History of Languages
Appendix A: Answers to Reviews of Terms and Concepts
Appendix B: Answers to Selected Exercises
Appendix C: Fieldwork Exercises
Appendix D: Chart of full International Phonetic Alphabet (revised 2020)
Glossary
